
CDFVRIGHT DEPOSm 



NIMROD 

A DRAMA 



N I M R O D 



A D RAMA 



By 

Francis Rolt- Wheeler, Ph.D. 

Author of "The Boy with the U. S. Survey," " The Boy with the U. S. 

Foresters," " The Boy with the U. S. Census," " The Boy with 

the U. S. Fisheries," " The Science - History of the 

Universe," " The Dawn of Man," etc., etc. 




BOSTON 
LOTHROP, LEE AND SHEPARD CO. 






111* 



Copyright in United States tnon-publication), 1906. by Francis William Rolt-Wheeler 

Copyright in United States, igii, by Francis William RoIt-Wheeler 

Copyright in Great Britain and Colonies, i<)i2, by Francis William Rolt-Wheeler 

All rishis rfscTfJ 



THE COLONTIAL PRESS 
C. H. SIMOXDS & CO., BOSTON, V. S. A. 



©CID 3.L5oG 



*Co My 3eloveJ Wife 



Far beyond Space, before and after Time, 

Undreamed of by the gods, inviolate, 

Dwell arch-divinities. They predicate 
The life of Inspiration in that prime 
When never yet was aught beside. Sublime 

In utter loneliness, theirs to create 

What is, what shall be; theirs also to wait, 
Cycles of suns but minutes in their chime. 

So silent! So remote! Yet viewless flame 
Is sped by their Creative thought to gleam 
In sacrificial fanes — the hearts of seers; 
And thou, Christine, art one of these; thy name. 
Like thee, conjoint of Real and of Dream, 
Foreshows the unknown joy of future years. 

Francis Rolt - Wheeler. 



PREFATORY NOTE 



NiMROD was begun in the winter of 1901, and in its 
first form, as a dramatic poem, was comideted in 90 

^o To^"'"' '""P'-'u ^7 ='^S^ production, and on July 
19, 1906, was copyrighted as such under its present title 
In the wmter of 191, an advantageous change in the first 
ac suggested Itself to the author and the drfma was agaL 
entirely rewritten. Since the publication of llTss Anna 

to ^vold .0 f • V"« "^'^""^ '^^^ '^^'>" discussed in order 

trended ItseTf"' rVT^'l"' """ '^' °"«'-' "'^ 
v-yixuaciiuea itselt. Ihe plots, however, are utterlv HJ<; 

similar and one is a drama while the othe'r is an epk poem 
on anvT ^'fT"^'. P^'-h^'PS, that the story is not basS 
warlr'l ff tt" t"' ■' '"^/'f^i^Y the necessary type of 
whereof the hI'^"' r!11 Euphrates valleys in the days 
r,n ^f > t ^f'^'^'^": ,B'ble speaks concerning " Nimrod 
Zw "'S: '\ ""'^^'y *•"■"<=■■ before the Lord." The 
double conflict between democracy and aristocracy and 

arpuSiJn'""""" '"' -onotheiL is of direct m';dern 



DRAMATIS PERSONS 

NiMROD — Commander of the army 

AsTRAEL — King and High-Priest of Eridhu 

Cal - Erech — Chief of the priests 

MiTURA — Young priest, related to the royal line 

En - TuR — Veteran attached to Nimrod's body-guard 

GiLVAR - Ur — Second in command of the army, under 

Nimrod 
Enochael — Jewish patriarch and prophet 
Hermit — Revolutionist, enemy of the priests 

AsTUPHELi — Daughter of the King 
Yarethah — Daughter of Enochael 
Peliah - Hem — Queen of a conquered city 
Soldiers, priests, etc. 



SYNOPSIS OF SCENES 



ACT I 

Scene i — The terrace of a Chaldean Observatory, evening. 
Scene 2 — The interior of the Star-Temple, the next day. 

ACT II 

Scene i — The market-place of a conquered city, ten days 

later. 
Scene 2 — The patriarchal encampment of Enochael, 

next morning. 

ACT III 

Scene — The sacrificial cell in the vaults of the Star-Temple, 
two days later. 



ACT I 



ACT I, Scene i 

Scene. — The raised earth terrace surrounding a ziggurat 
or ancient Chaldean observatory. To the left is the 
first flight of steps leading up to the ziggurat, the lower 
story of which, being sacred to the innermost planet. 
Mercury, is faced with pure white glazed tiles. The 
steps are white alabaster and semi-circular. Flanking 
the farther side of the staircase, upon a black diorite 
base, stands a winged golden bull, man-headed and of 
colossal size, in the style of the First Babylonian Em- 
pire. One half of one side of the ziggurat and one 
half of the great semi-circular staircase leading to the 
main entrance are seen. Recessed by the width of a 
steeply sloping outside path of sufficient breadth to 
allow the bearing of litters, the second story rises toward 
the sky, being faced with tiles of a light-blue color, 
symbolical of the planet Venus. The color scheme is 
bold, being broken only by the mosaics running breast 
high through the tiers of glazed brickwork and by the 
frequent shallow niches characteristic of early Baby- 
lonian architecture. Immediately above the high main 
entrance is seen on the second story a richly decorated 
doorway. All the construction is without arches. 

At the back of the stage runs a low parapet, sur- 
mounting the supporting wall of the terrace, which, 
like the parapets guarding the outside walls that en- 
circle the ziggurat, is turreted in an irregular design. 
Beyond the parapet of the terrace are seen the fiat- 
topped roofs of low buildings of sun-baked brick. In 
the distance a second ziggurat appears^ oriented in the 



2 N I M R O D Act I 

same manner as the building in the foreground, suffi- 
ciently far away for the entire structure to be seen, 
each successive story of its pyramid formation glowing 
with the color symbolical of the planet to which it is 
consecrated. On the further side runs the dark outline 
of the city wall, and beyond, the alluvial plains of the 
Tigris valley. 

To the right of the stage stands a second winged bull, 
also of gold, upon a black pedestal only two feet high, 
the topmost point of head and wings being level with 
the base of the great sculpture beside the ziggurat steps, 
thus suggesting the avenue of colossi guarding the ap- 
proach to the sacred building. 

A comet gleams in the sky. The Time is early 
Evening. 

As the curtain rises, Cal - Erech is seen standing 
on the steps and looking at Mitura, who is leaning 
over the parapet gazing anxiously in the direction of 
the city, as though endeavoring to see what is happening 
in the streets belozv. The sounds of a tumult are heard, 
hoarse shouts and shrill cries coming faintly to the ear. 

Cal - Erech — {speaking with a marked assumption of care- 
lessness) 
Thou dost hear their cries? This people seems dis- 
turbed! 

Mitura — {with fear in his voice) They rage! 

{Turns to Cal - Erech with wonderment) And yet 

this tumult doth not seem 
To trouble thee! 

Cal - Erech — {slowly and quietly, his tones a marked con- 
trast to the other'' s hurried utterance) Why should it 
trouble me ? 
I know its cause! Fear hath no dwelling-place 
In those who know its origin. 



Scene i NIMROD 3 

MiTURA. But crowds 

Are smit by unruled purposes, sudden 
Some swift mood strikes them, their temper turns, 
They pass from hate to love, from love to hate, 
And unconsidered action — like a flood — 
Sweeps onward to a hidden bloody end. 
Wilder, more savage, more relentless 
Than the maddest of them all would have dared 
dream. 

Cal - Erech — And then? 

MiTURA. Then Peril grows with every 

breath they draw! 

Cal - Erech — I find no peril in their maddest mood. 
A crowd, to me, is but an instrument 
On which a player plays in massive chords; 
It has no single notes. 

MiTURA. But who will play 

On such an instrument, whose pipes are hoarsened 

throats. 
Whose keys are all the passions of the base? 
Dost thou dare play upon it? 

Cal - Erech. I do not need! 

King Astrael shall call forth angry harmonies 
And Earth shall shake under the beat of sound. 
I do not play at all. {Pauses meaningly) 

I write the score! 
{He turns toward the ziggurat in a listening attitude, 
as steps are heard, then faces Mitura and points down 
the sloping terrace) 

I hear the king! (Mitura hesitates) Go then! 
{With ??iarked emphasis) I have to write the score. 

{Exit Mitura 



4 N I M R O D Act I 

(Cal - Erech goes up the steps and makes obeisance) 
{Enter Astrael. He is abstracted and pays no heed 
to the priest, but gazes steadily at the sky) 
Thou hast interpreted the sign, O King? 

Astrael — {meditatively) The watching constellations seem 

to brood 
Over a coming evil. Yonder sign 
BalefuUy gleaming in the zodiac 
Foretells a shattered wall, a broken throne. 
Shows full-gorged vultures on the Temple shrine 
And brings the cries of jackals to my ear. 
'Tis strange that gods should choose such means as 

this 
To blazon forth what they have willed to do. 

Cal - Erech — 'Tis not so strange, the stars are mysteries; 
No mystery — no fear! The gods need fear. 

Astrael — What dost thou read in it? 

Cal - Erech. I only read 

Such prophecies as fit our purposes. 

Astrael — {impatiently) Is there no truth in Faith? Is 
craftiness 
So sure an armor that the shafts of hate 
Strike on it harmlessly? I read the sign 
And dare to face my reading! 

Cal - Erech — {zvarningly) True, O King, 

But all thy people, all thy priests, do not. 

Mark this alone, that even Mitura is sick 

With heaviness of terror, one dark word 

Will wreck his peace, he is now half distraught.^ 

Call this {pointing to the comet) a blessing, Mitura 

stands firm; 
Cry it a curse, his blood shall turn to sap 
And he will fail us when we need him most. 



Scene i N I M R O D 5 

AsTRAEL. Would that I could 

Infuse his blood with sychor of high aims, 
Ambition, noble men's intoxicant. 
But he prefers to think of common folk. 
He aims to please the sweating water-carrier. 
Gives alms for sake of cheaply-gotten praise. 

Cal - Erech — {with a note of maliciousness) The streets 
Resound with cries of " Mitura! " 

AsTRAEL. Meanwhile 

In secret conclave ever his voice is raised 
To levy greater burdens on the land, 
A heavier tax, a harder tale of toil. 
For petty greed he would oppress the people more 
Than I for mighty conquests have been forced to 
do! 

Cal - Erech — Yet he can cloak it by pretense of love. 

AsTRAEL. _ ^ _ Such love 

Between a monarch and his subjects, like a seed 
Fallen between two blocks of masonry, 
Grows to a tree which hurls them wide apart, 
And standing strong itself, sees not their fall. 

Cal - Erech — Yet we must use his weakness for our 

strength. 
AsTRAEL — There is no other! (Longingly) Would Jarimel 
Were old enough! 

Cal - Erech — {with an air oj rebuking an idle speech) 
Full fifteen years must pass 
Before thy son can guide the reins of power; 
Scarce has he learned to walk! 

Astrael. His infancy 

Drags back the wheels of time, the weeks are years 
Until he reaches manhood. We cannot wait — 
Mitura must marry Astupheli. 



6 N I M R O D Act I 

Cal - Erech — {suggestively) Should she be early widowed ? 

AsTRAEL. Jarimel could rule 

Under her regency. 

Cal - Erech. The prayers of kings 

Often find ready answer with the gods; 
Especially when kept in secrecy. 

AsTRAEL — {looking up quickly) Secret from everyone! 

Cal - Erech. And above all — 

{Points toward the entrance) 
From him who comes this way. 

Astrael. Who is it comes? 

Cal - Erech — Nimrod, the captain of thy body-guard. 

{A ringing sound of metal is heard from the entrance 
leading to the city) 

{Enter Nimrod, He is dressed as a zvarrior and carries 
a huge bronze spear) 

Nimrod — Greeting, King Astrael ! {Nods carelessly to Cal- 
Erech). 

Astrael. Welcome, my lord! 

Thou dost not often seek the ziggurat! 

Nimrod — I have too much of earnest work to do 

To fret about the stars. I come to warn thee. 
King — 

Cal - Erech — Thou usest little courtesy, my lord! 
Thou speakest to the king! 

Nimrod — {impatiently) And thou to me! 

Bid thy two lips a closer friendship keep 
In warriors' presence. The world is sick 
Of words for the sake of words, instead of deeds; 
High-sounding titles are impediments 
When urgent matters need decisive speech. 



Scene i N I M R O D 7 

AsTRAEL — (haughtily) Who bade thee urge decisive 

speech to me? 
NiMROD — King Astrael, in thy seclusion here, 
The troubles of thy people seem far off, 
Just as a lion's roar, in city walls, 
Gives a vague interest to a desert scene. 
It does not cause the warrior's hand to clutch 
With furious joy his shaft of tempered bronze. 
It does not make the peaceful merchant shrink 
And pray that long lithe body may not spring 
And take him to its lair, for it is far, 
And, in the walls, men heed not that without. 
But if that mighty roar be heard within, 
If in the streets the king of beasts is seen. 
Uncaged, red-jowled, tossing his yellow mane, 
What fear and terror then! King Astrael, 
More thunderous than any lion's roar. 
More venomous than any serpent's bite, 
More deadly than the devil-wind Simoom 
Is Ignorance, in Panic, brooding Hate. 
The streets are filled with human beasts of prey, 
The tiger, jackal, leopard and the snake. 
And one old lion in a hermit's shape 
Whetting their appetite to slaughter. King! 
'Tis time to act! 
Astrael — (contemptuously) Why should the people sud- 
denly grow dangerous? 
NiMROD — They fear the portent. When the third day 
passed 
And those who thronged the Temple came away 
Hearing but rumors of approaching doom. 
Staring-eyed Panic bit the troubled folk. 
And wayside prophets, foaming at the mouth, 
Run through the streets and cry — "The end is 
come!" 



8 N I M R D Act I 

AsTRAEL — {with exaggerated carelessness) 

Prophets may cry and yet the end not come. 

NiMROD — {payhig no heed to the interruption) 

The merchant leaves his stall, the looms are still, 
The new-born baby clamors for his food, 
While mothers peer with dread from out their doors 
To chance upon some word may calm their fears 
Or double them indeed. O Priest and King! 
King wilt thou be no longer, neither priest, 
Unless this fear-plague checks. 

ASTR.A.EL — {in a domineering tone) Check thou the plague! 
What if they chafe? It is thy task to tame them, 
The army costs enough. 

NiMROD. Would'st thou fight Fear 

With bow and arrow.? Throw a javelin 
At Panic? Or with stroke of sword cut out 
Hatred of priestcraft, royalty and thee? 
Is the mind met by hunting blades? The tongue 
Curbed by an ambushment of cavalry? 

AsTRAEL — Hatred is well. None hate unless they fear, 
And, while they fear, what matter is their hate? 
I am their king, high-priest, almost their god ! 

NiMROD — {lifting the blade of his spear to his lips and breath- 
ing lightly npoji it) 
For one day longer let this panic breed — 
I count thy power then but breath on piece 
Of burnished metal, which, as you regard,. 
Evaporates and straightway shows beneath 
That which a moment clouded. See, 'tis gone! 
{Holds out the blade of the spear to the king) 

AsTRAEL — Thou art too quick to credit evil tales, 
It is thy part to keep my realm at peace. 
{Taps the blade of Nimrod's spear) 



Scene i NIMROD 9 

This is thy sceptre I What dost thou wish to do 
To make the common folk obedient? 

NiMROD — The army will defend from foreign foe, 
But, Astrael, remember, common folk 
Comprise thy kingdom. True, thou art a king, 
But king of what? King of no other thing 
Than common folk, and king no more of that 
Unless thy kingliness avert their misery. 

Astrael — {roughly clutching at the fastening of the royal 
inantle as though he wished to cast it from him) 
Almost it angers me to be a king! 

NiMROD — If thou would'st rule this people, Astrael, 
Give them a voice to speak of their affairs, 
Raise from them certain leaders, who may be 
Thine aids, instead of royal favorites. 
Treat them as men and women, not as beasts. 

Astrael — {in amazement and disgust) 

Raise rulers from the common multitude? 

NiMROD — Their blood's as hot as yours, and when it's spilt 
Reddens as large a piece of ground, not more. 
Their cries of grief have just as loud a sound 
As yours of worship, and their homes are dear 
As Princess Astupheli is to you. 

Astrael — {striding to and fro impatiently) 

Divide my power midst a pack of dogs 
Which snarl around my palace? Pick the dog 
That barks the loudest, make him sentinel 
To bid the other curs keep distance! 

NiMROD — I said not — man and dogs, but man and man! 
Art thou a god? Dost thou control the elements? 
Dost thou not eat and sleep? Shalt thou not die? 
The bony frame that bears the robe and crown 



lo N I M R O D Act I 

Can it be told from that which bears the lash? 
What art thou then if not a man? 

AsTRAEL — {loudly and with anger) I am the King! 

Cal - Erech — My lord forgetteth this, that courtliness 
Is the prerogative of kings. 

NiMROD. False words 

And diplomatic phrase I do not stoop to use; 
I will not mar the spotless robe of truth 
With gaudy needlework of over-courtesies. 

AsTRAEL — {sneeringly) The robe of truth! What if thy 
tale be false? 
(NiMROD stands silent a moment, as though disbe- 
lieving that his word could be doubted, then steps jor- 
ward threateningly. Cal - Erech, who has been 
watching closely, steps in between them, just as Nim- 
ROD is about to speak) 

Cal - Erech — {turning to Nimrod with a pleading gesture) 
My lord! Say not the word irrevocable! 
I am old, and age brings certain wisdoms. 
Thou hast a god, and by that god I speak to thee — 
By thine own manliness, be generous! 
Forget the bitter word! 

{Without giving Nimrod an opportunity to reply, he 
turns to the king) King Astrael! 
The captain of the guard hath truly told 
The temper of thy kingdom. It Is worse 
Than has been said! At noon the princess came 
And begged that I should warn thee. 

Astrael. Well ? 

Cal - Erech. I said, 

"To-morrow!" There may be no to-morrow! 

Astrael — Bid my daughter here! 



Scene i NIMROD 



II 



Cal - Erech. She is within. 

{Turns as though to go, then hesitates, looks back at 
NiMROD and at Astrael, as though fearing to leave 
them together. Nimrod nods in agreement and turns 
away from the king, walking to the foot of the steps 
below the great colossus, Cal - Erech hurries up the 
sloping pathway that leads to the second story of the 
ziggurat and thence to the door immediately above the 
main entrance) 

Princess! 

AsTUPHELi — {from within) Who calls? 

Cal - Erech — The king thy father asks for thee! 

{Enter Astupheli. She comes upon the second story 
pathway and down the slope to the first story, followed 
by Cal - Erech. As the princess comes down the 
slope, Nimrod goes up the marble stairs, to within two 
or three steps from the top. As she reaches the head of 
the great staircase, she speaks) 

Astupheli — My Father and my King! Lord Nimrod, 
welcome! 

Nimrod — {raises the hem of the outer mantle of the princess 
and puts it to his lips with an air of gallantry) 
I pay my homage. 

Cal - Erech — {pointedly) Here is courtesy! 

Nimrod — The princess is a woman, the king 
Is but the king. 

Cal - Erech — {looking at him steadily) Perhaps I under- 
stand. 

Nimrod — 'Tis easy to understand too much. 

{During this colloquy, Astupheli has descended the 
steps and come to her father Astrael, who is standing 
moodily, paying no attention to the curt interchange 



12 



N I M R O D Act T 



hetzveen Nimrod and Cal - Erech. He turns as 
AsTUPHELi approaches) 

AsTUPHELi — Mv lord Cal-Erech said that thou didst ask 
for me ! 

AsTRAEL — Yes ! Why didst thou urge the priest to warn me r 
And of what? 

AsTUPHELi. Father, I cannot breathe, the air 

Is drugged with fumes of terror! \'oiceless night 
Broods with such tension of unuttered cries 
That bids one pray for shrieking! Before the dawn 
It had not seemed the sun could ever rise, 
And all day long his arrows have been sharp, 
Venomed with fear of dimly-seen disaster! 

AsTRAEL — This is a mere presentiment! A dream! 

But women's vaporings! Born of imagination! 

AsTUPHELi — Thy palace groans aloud. Thy lords, thy 
slaves 
Cower like birds before a desert storm. 
None dares to be alone. 

AsTRAEL. In my own palace? 

AsTUPHELi — They whisper that a monstrous white-clawed 
bat 

Clings to the cushion of thy throne! 

{Loud and savage cries are heard from the crowd in 

the city streets below the parapet) 

NiMROD — {standing beside the zvall) The mob is loose! 

Like to ten thousand wasps in angry flight, 
With throbbing stings aquiver, comes the crowd. 
Go, King! This people has no love for thee, 
And in their savage temper, even I 
Can scarcely hold them back. 

AsTRAEL. I will not 2o! 



Scene i NIMROD 13 

NiMROD — Provoke not useless violence! Thy strength 
Lies in thy mystery. The name of King 
Is infinitely stronger than himself. 
Act while unseen! Enter the ziggurat! 
The priests have means to keep thee safe. 

AsTUPHELi — {grasping his arm) Father! 

AsTRAEL — Go, Astupheli ! 

AsTUPHELi. Not without thee, Father! 

{Cries of the crowd are heard coming nearer, As- 
TRAEL yields) 

Cal - Erech — Think of the dynasty! 

AsTRAEL. Forjarimel! 

Yes, I will go. 

{He follows the pressure of Astupheli's grasp and hur- 
ries up the great stairway to the main entrance. At 
the top of the steps he turns) 

I shall be close at hand! 

{Exit Astrael and Astupheli 

NiMROD — {turning zvith surprise to Cal - Erech, who is 
standing quietly a few yards away) 
Thou goest not? 

Cal - Erech. I do not need a spear 

On which to build my courage. 

NiMROD. Spoken well. 

I do not think thee coward! It may be 
We two can hold the steps. 

Cal - Erech. We must! 

NiMROD. _ We will! 

{Rabble bursts in, brandishing rude weapons. _ In the 
midst of them is being driven forward, protestingly, a 
Hermit, clad in dusty rags) 



14 N I M R O D Act I 

Voices — The hermit! Let him speak! 

( The crowd surges Jorzvard to the foot of the steps and 
the Hermit is thrust to the front. As he comes near, 
NiMROD descends, step by step, and the Hermit recoils) 

Hermit — Is speech denied? 

NiMROD. To no man. 

Voices. On the pedestal! 

{The Hermit makes a gesture of protest, hut in spite 
of this he is picked up by zvilling arms and lifted to the 
black diorite pedestal beside the zvinged man-headed 
bull) 

Hermit — Woe, woe on you who writhe beneath the feet 
Of the usurper, Astrael. Arise! Be men! 
Throw off your girdles, lay your tools aside! 
What profits all your lives.'' Who dwells within 
The palaces you build.'* Who drinks the wine 
Your hands have made? Who wears the purple robe 
Your labor has brought forth? Who sits at ease 
And laughs to see your agonizing toil. 
Pointing to silent stars for all his reasons? 
Lay low the ziggurats and let the walls 
Of storied color, topped with golden hue. 
Turn to bright red with stain of tyrant blood! 

A Voice — But this is treason! 

Hermit — {pointing at speaker) I can see hands about to 
clutch thy throat! 
{Sudden tumult occurs in the crozvd, during which 
MiTURA, who has been in the background, makes his 
zvay to the front and, going up the steps, speaks in a 
whisper to Cal - Erech. In the meantime the crowd 
parts, shozving a 7nan struggling in the grasp of several 
others) 
Death to all traitors! Toss him from the wall! 



Scene i N I M R O D 15 

(Struggle ensues, at the end of which, with a cry, the 
victim of the mob^s fury is thrown over the parapet) 
Who rule by force must die by force at last! 
Who would be dog, to cringe before his lord, 
When he might crush the one that bids him crawl 
And be a tiger from the distant hills, 
Supreme in his own strength, his food his own. 
His home inviolate? 

{During this speech Mitura, who has been talking 
with Cal - Erech, walks from the top step of the great 
staircase to the diorite pedestal and thence along it 
until he stands beside the Hermit) 

Voices. Down with the priests! 

(Mitura hesitates and looks back at Cal - Erech) 

A Voice — Nay, let him speak. 'Tis only Mitura. 

Mitura — {nervously) I shall not lose the love you bear to 
me 
In showing you the folly you applaud. 
Is this thy leader.'' This, whose twisted back 
Shows how the gods regard him! 

Hermit. I am their voice! 

Mitura — Is hate to take the place of holiness.'' 
This bitter-hearted seer attacks the king 
That he and all his kind may fatten on 
The misery which falls upon a land 
That has defamed the gods. 

Hermit. O People! Hear 

The pet dog speaking for his master. Woe! Woe! 
Woe! 

Mitura — A dog or tiger, dost thou say? What then? 
Which has the happier life? The hunting hound 
Serving a useful purpose In the world, 



i6 N I M ROD Act I 

Has dwelling, food and all his need supplied, 
And is to man — who is to dog a god — 
A faithful worshipper and well beloved. 
The snarling tiger, from his cubhood up 
Half starved, in peril lies from day to day. 
Hunted beneath a burning sun, and at the last 
He dies by man, the tiger's devil-god. 
Unloving and unloved. 

Hermit. Yet hath he claws 

To gripe and teeth to rend! O People, hear! 
Are ye all toothless? Are your claws all drawn? 
Have ye no word to cry? 

Voices. Down with the priests! 

Hermit — {grappling Mitura) Follow the traitor! 

{They struggle on the narro:v platform in front of the 
zvinged bull, the Hermit, hard and zviryfrojn his desert 
life, gradually overcoming the youthful resistance of 
Mitura and forcing him to the side nearest to the zvall. 
No sooner have they grappled than Nimrod springs 
upon the diorite base and runs to rescue Mitura. He 
reaches the struggling pair just as the Hermit is about 
to throw MiTUR-A. to the street belo:v and zvith a mighty 
grasp wrenches them apart. He motions Mitura 
back toward Cal - Erech and holds the Hermit fast. 
Its appetite for slaughter whetted^ the crozvd once 
again surges tozvard the steps, since Nimrod, engaged 
zvith the Hermit, no longer protects the entrance) 

Voices. Down with Cal-Erech! 

(Cal - Erech, looking at the people scornfully, moves 
not a muscle. The foremost of the mob come near 
enough to threaten him zvith their zveapons but are 
daunted by^ his impassive contempt. Then, very 
slozvly, he raises his right hand, partly closed, and passes 
it before him, scanning closely the faces of the crozvd) 



Scene i NIMROD 17 

Voice — Nay, do not point at me! 

{As the cry is raised Cal - Erech pauses, looks fixedly 
at the speaker, then slowly unclenches his half-closed 
hand and points at him with his forefinger. The man 
gives a choked cry and staggers, the crowd making way 
for him, and with tottering stupefied steps he disappears. 
A shiver runs through the ^{people and they draw back) 
{During this proceeding Astrael and Astupheli enter 
from the main entrance of the ziggurat, unnoticed by 
the people, who cower before the transfixing gaze and 
motions of Cal - Erech) 

Astrael — {suddenly and in stentorian tones) Cal-Erech, 
cease! 
At last the gods have spoken. The word is Joy! 
Victory rides forth beside the hosts of Eridhu, 
To-morrow shall be festival. Rejoice! 
Famine shall be no more! Spoils gold as yonder 

star 
Shall flood our treasuries as floods its golden light: 
Ten thousand captive slaves shall lift your toil 
And balmy ease is borne upon the wind. 
Thrice three-score prisoners shall be set free, 
Their pardons wait them. 

Cal - Erech. Hail to the king! 

Voices — Hail to the king! 

Hermit. Will victories buy food ? 

(NiMROD, seeing that the temper of the crowd is changed 
to relief by the news Astrael has given, releases the 
Hermit, who makes his escape behind the winged bull 
and a moment or two later is seen among the crowd. 
NiMROD returns to the top of the steps, standing near 
the king) 

Astrael — To-morrow, when at noon the sun's ray smites 
The golden altar, shall the gods reveal 



i8 N I M R O D Act I 

Their purposes concerning Eridhu. 

This is the word the Mightv Se\'en send. 

(NiMROD comes dozen the steps and speaks to the men 

nearest him) 
NiMROD — There is scant time to plan a festival. 

Haste! Get you home! Your wives and children 
wait 

To hear the words of hope vou bring to them. 

Lose not a moment's time! 
V^oiCES — {loudly and zvith volume) Hail to the king! 

{The crozvd begins to thin, slowly at first, then faster, 

the few malcontents remaining, among them the Her- 
mit, being hurried off by Nimrod) 

{Exit NiMROD 

AsTRAEL — {turning to Cal - Erech) Thou knowest what 
to do? 

Cal - Erech. The fire sign.'* 

All will be ready at the hour of noon. 

{Exit Cal - Erech and Mitura 

Astupheli — {zi'ith a tremor in her voice) 

Thy life is much endangered, Father! 

Astrael — {contemptuously) Nay! 

What care I what the people say or do.^ 
But since the golden fillet pressed my brow 
I have not felt such fear as comes to me 
In reading yonder message from the gods. 

Astupheli — I have not read the sign! 

Astrael. Easy \o read, 

But hard to understand. It prophesies 
A mighty conqueror of royal birth 
Who yet is kin unto the common folk, 
A scorner of the gods, yet mage and priest, 
And while it shows the fall of Eridhu 



Scene i NIMROD 19 

Still does it show that victories shall come 
Unto the king of Eridhu. 

AsTUPHELi. What means it all? 

Royal and yet allied to common folk! 
A scorner of the gods and yet a priest! 
Warrior and conqueror and yet a mage! 

AsTRAEL — Yet this is sure — that Eridhu must fall. 

AsTUPHELi — Why didst thou bid the multitude rejoice? 

AsTRAEL — To give them peace, for their sakes and my own. 

AsTUPHELi — What wilt thou do? 

AsTRAEL. Abandon Eridhu 

And build a greater city on the plain. 
Sweep like destroying fire on those chiefs 
Whose petty hamlets dot the river banks, 
Create one vast dominion, move my throne 
From Eridhu and throw the city down; 
Sow salt upon its ruins and convert 
The doom of ill to glorious prophecy. 

AsTUPHELi — {dubiously) A daring plot! 

AsTRAEL. It is a dicer's chance 

That I may win, it is a certainty 
I cannot lose, for it contains the means 
Of leaving to the ages yet to come 
A name untarnished by a petty aim. 
If I must fall, fall as a conqueror 
Slain ere he end his task. 

AsTUPHELi. You do not look 

To Mitura for great accomplishment? 

AsTRAEL — He is as ignorant of kingcraft 

As thou of love; to rule cannot be taught. 
It needs an inner consciousness to lead. 
Wherein the king knows himself to be king. 



20 



N I M R O D Act I 



Yet, if thou marry Mitura, thy power, 
Greater than his, will keep the kingdom safe 
Until thy brother Jarimel shall be 
Of age to take the reins of government. 

AsTUPHELi — Why look to Mitura? 
AsTRAEL, Who else is there 

With birth to rule, and power to sustain? 

AsTUPHELi — (with an assumed air of suggesting a new idea 
thai had just occurred to her) Nimrod ? 

AsTRAEL — {striding forward and placing his hand upon the 
girVs lips) 

As thou would'st value life, be still! 

He is too bold, too shrewd to trust too far. 

Always the wise are dangerous. 

{In a lighter tone and with an expression of relief) 

Besides, 

He is not priest, knows not the rites, and so 

He could not serve. 
AsTUPHELi — Could he not learn the rites? 
AsTRAEL — Who would dare teach them? Nimrod is not 
loved 

By any of the priests, and only Mitura 

Shares in the royal lore we two possess. 

Nimrod as regent? No! I had been wiser far 

If I had slain him when in childhood days 

He turned his mimic spear and threatened me. 

Even to-day he menaced me! 
AsTUPHELi — {in surprise) Yet he is loyal? 

AsTRAEL — Loyal in what he deems is loyalty. 

He neither fears the gods nor yet their priests 
And deems me but the equal of himself. 
If once he thought he could be so, in truth, 
Nimrod would scale that sky on any cloud 



Scene i NIMROD 2i 

And laugh defiance at the lightning flash, 
While Astrael and Jarimel would fall. 
What would be left for Mitura and thee? 
It is the dicer's chance. Conquer I must! 

AsTUPHELi — Conquest spells suffering! 

Astrael. The gods decree! 

One warning word! What thou hast said to-night 
Concerning Nimrod, never think again. 

{Exit Astrael 

Astupheli — Any but Nimrod! Not a priest or king? 
And ignorant of sacred rites? Perhaps! 
As ignorant, he said, as I of love. 
{Picks up the hem of her robe) 
'Twas here he kissed it! {Kisses it passionately) 
As I of love ! 

{Curtain) 

End SCENE I 



ACT I, Scene 2 

Scene — The interior of the great Star-Temple. At the back 
stands the Golden Altar, symbolical of the Sun, raised 
on several steps. Above the altar is suspended a large 
solar disc studded with gems, designed to reflect with 
myriad facets the rays of the sun when they strike upon 
it at a regulated hour in the Temple services, zvhich was 
achieved by the manipulation of a powerful reflector 
from a hidden point. On either side of the main altar 
hang curtains of cloth-of-gold tapestry, slightly draped 
aside to form entrances. Rising from the back of the 
altar, in such zvise as to make the suspended solar disc 
the centre, sprhig two immense conventionalized wings, 
soaring over each of the curtained entra?ices. At the 
foot of the altar steps in the centre stands the character- 
istic conventionalized sacred tree or Tree of Life, about 
five feet in height, with a winged figure on either side. 
Huge octagonal pillars to right and left lead up to the 
central altar and recessed between each of these pillars 
stands a planet shrine, in the color sacred to and symbol- 
ical of each planet. Thus, in their order 07i the right 
side stands a white shrine and altar, a blue shrine and 
altar and a black shri?ie and altar, consecrated respect- 
ively to Mercury, Venus and Saturn; ^ und on the 
opposite side, shrines and altars of red, purple and 
silver, consecrated respectively to Mars, Jupiter and 
the Moon. The transition of color is made on the oc- 
tagonal pillars, which are faced with glazed tile, the side 

1 The precise order of the symbols of the eariy Chaldean worship is not definitely known; it is be- 
lieved, however, that they did not follow the progression of planets as now known in the Copemican 



Scene 2 N I M R O D 23 

0/ the pillar next to the shrine being of a similar color, 
hut the three intervening sides possessing equal grada- 
tions hetzveen the two colors to be contrasted. The 
symbol of the planet also is zvorked in mosaic on the 
front of each altar, and on each a fire is burning, the 
color of the flame being of the hue characteristic of the 
shrine. For the altars sacred to the Moon and to Saturn 
{white and black) a dense white and a sombre black 
smoke ascend in a thin spiral. There are curtained 
entrances on either side of the tzvo groups of three altars 
as well as those on either side of the great altar. 
The Time is Morning. 

As the curtain rises Nimrod is seen talking to En- 
TuR in the centre of the temple. A band of soldiers is 
drawn up near the ciirtained entrances on either side 
of the great altar. Nimrod walks hastily to one of the 
lesser entrances near the small shrines and looks out 
warily, returning /o En - Tur. 

Nimrod — I do not trust these priests. I trust no man 
Who makes his office better than himself. 
Did you not hear a footstep? 

En - Tur — {with bluff directness) Not I, Lord, 
Else had that foot ceased stepping. 

Nimrod. ,P""^u^' 

If every star in all the heavens should crash 
Upon the shaking earth, if noonday sun 
Should suddenly be quenched and all be dark. 
No priest shall come in hearing of this place 
Until I give thee word. Six entrances, 
Six men to guard them; have it done. 
(En - Tur goes toward the band of soldiers, glances 
over them rapidly, points at six men and then at the 
entrances, without uttering a word. The soldiers salute 
and take their places) 



24 N I M R O D Act I 

En - TuR. 'Tis done. 

NiMROD — Keep watch without. 
En - TuR. Aught further, Lord ? 

NiMROD. No more, 

Old war-hound. 

En -Tur. No priest's ear comes nigh this place 

Till head and body shall be separate. 
{Lifts shield in salute and motions to the soldiers to 
leave the temple, the sentinels at the six entrances re- 
maining) {Exit En -Tur 

Nimrod — My love is late! 

{IVith sudden anger as the memory of his treatme7it 
by Astra EL the day before recurs to htm) 

That craven priestly king! 
No gleam of star or sun, or flaming lamp 
Of earthly or of heavenly design 
Could blanch my cheek or cause my lip to shake; 
But he, tricked in the web of trickery 
He weaves to conjure others, is himself 
Not less, but more, a prey to fancied fears. 
{J soldier clashes his spear against his shield in salute) 
Speak! 

Soldier. The princess, noble lord. 

Nimrod. Uncurtain! 

{The soldier, who has been guarding one of the entrances 
beside the great altar, draws back the curtain) 
{Enter Astitpheli. She comes forward as Nimrod 
turns expectantly and makes an obeisance to him. 
Nimrod raises her zvith both hands and holds them. 
Soldiers step to outer side of curtains at entrances) 
I almost feared, my love, thou could'st not come! 

Astuptieli — And whv, mv lord.-* 



ScKNi: 2 N I M k () I) 25 

NiMKoo. 'I'liy father's need of I lice, 

Now he is raclccti by fears. 

AsTiJi'iii;!.! {a Hull' rt'proackjully) lie is ill, Niiinod! 

N[MK(ji) - ill of the shadow-inalaclies of I'Vai. 

I lis eyes arc lixeil upon the stars, when they iiii;.;hl 

feasl 
U()on such vision, As! iipheli sweeL, 
As tliy clear self. 
{Draws hrr into a closer embrace) 

KiJt tell tne, whisper, Love, 
7'hoii l)ri^htc;st and thou fairesl and thou Ix-st 
Of woniaidcind! What, word hast thou lor nie? 

A.s'iui'lli:i,l The (jld one only 

NiMROD. Old, bul always sw<;(;t. 

AsTUlMli:i-l I love thee, love thee, hiVe thee, as tlur wave 
l<ip|)les its soft caress upon the sand, 
And murmurs " love " as on it swc-eps, and croons 
A " lhe(,- " with its receding mf>tion, only yet 
To f.wcll a;<ain with " \(>vc " and die with " thee." 

NiMKoi) So do I swell with piide fof love, !)(•< an.'.c 
' Tis thee I love, and also so would die 
I'or th(H-. 

As'rt;iMii;i,i. I could not have thee die for mc, 

I""or that would be u\y dyln^^ for myself. 
And since the world is glorified by there 
I would not wish to leave so fair a place. 
'Twas in this very life we two did meet — 
And that wr)uld bridge vast seas of misery; 
'Tis in this life I feed thy gntat heart beat 
Against the frightened pulsing of my own, 
And gods cf)uld know no d(;eper happiness; 
In this life, in this place, together, T.ove, 
R(;bed in a single flame that glorifies. 



26 N 1 M ROD Act 1 

Our souls give povvor to tlic universe, 

And bliss, like ours, knows nought of death or time. 

NiMKoi> What should bliss know of Time? So small a thing 
As da)s and hours, measured by the drop 
Of grains of sand ihrcnigh lu^le in potter}-; 
Or in a larger measure made by him 
\Vlu> is the slave of greater force, the Sun, 
By some terrific Master forced to toil 
To weary height of heaven, thence compelled 
To check his hastening to his place of rest 
To that same toilsome pace wliereby he climbed 
The arc stupendous. What is slaving Time 
To Astupheli? Vov the greatest gods, 
The Masters o{ the Sun, would reverence 
One brighter tlian the heaven's host, more fair 
Than ever mind of man conceived before. 

Asri'iMiKLi — {layinii hrr cJu-c-k upon Nimrod's shoulder) 
Why folly should be sweet, I cannot tell. 
And though thy words of so great overpraise 
Show wisdom sleeping, l.over Lord of Aline, 
'riiey seem to bathe my heart in ecstasy. 
Hi>w could a maiden dream of such sweet love: 

Nl^^K(.^l> How can a maiden be possessed, as thou. 

With such swift tliralldom tliat hath wrapped my 

heart 
About thy woman-self, lun from Creation's tire. 
So that a thousand deaths 1 rather choose 
'I'han that a single heart-beat in th\- breast 
Should be disturbed b\- pain. 

Ai^TUPHKi 1. Again of pain 

Thou speakest, it is strange; Death seems so near 
I'uder this golden wonder in the sky. 

NiMRon — {scornfully) T reck no whit of portents 

(,i\"///r a note" of concur n in his ivicA unless it be 



ScENi; 2 N 1 M ROD 27 

To think that thou liast ftit uneasiness! 
If lliis hath troubled thee, I'll lintl a way 
M'o cause its disappearance. All the gods 
Have j^iven thee to nie and dare not mar 
The rare excej)lion of perfection. 

As'iui'iii:i,i (iric-f knows no caste and sorrow pays no heed 
To rules of ccnirtesy at jKilace gates; 
And Death, wiien he doth come, lakes precedence 
Of every monarch in the wt)rld, save Love. 

NiMKoi) I knew a man who called Love, Infinite. 
He said it never dietl, but that a time 
Would come when it would sj)rinj.'; to life aj.',ain 
Self-born by il;; own beauty and its joy. 

Asri/iMii;i,i Was this J*>n(Khael, the patriarih, 
Who bade thee scorn the gods of Mridhu? 
Ciods whose forbidtlen lore I taught to thee! 

NiMKOD - He did not bid nu; scorn the gods, but stayed 
My worshij) of the universe. J^ncampetl 
Upon the j)lain, 1 r)ften talked with him. 
One day, close to his tent, two camel-tracks 
Showed {)lainly in the sand, one ritlerless 
'i'he other, ridden. When 1 maiked this, he turned, 
And bade me say how I distinguished, why 
A ho(jf-mark should tell all. J said "'I'he step 
Of one was indecisive, his (jwn will 
And pleasure made him pause here, bend and c rop 
'J'he grasses; yonder he saw an ant-heaj), 
Must sniff il, there a verdant tuft, 
And so, regardless lime, he wandered riderless. 
'I'hc other's path, clean-set, directed, marked 
By time and space, so many paces passed 
To such an arc of sun, at once bespeaks 
The shrewder calculalicjn of the man." 
*' S(j then, my son," thi- |)a1riai(h replied, 



28 N I M R O D Act I 

The stars which circle in appointed spheres 
Are not self-placed there, do not blindly stray, 
But are the subjects of a God who holds 
The sky, the earth, the sea and all their host 
By simple glance to His obedience." 

AsTUPHELi — A lesson vast, my Love. 

NiMROD. Too vast indeed 

For such a time of tenderness and joy. 
For, Astupheli, timid happiness. 
Like soft mirage, too quickly fades away 
Unless we enter in her misty mood 
And languorously yield ourselves entire 
To her divine embraces. Love of mine — 

Astupheli — As thou art Love of mine! 

NiMROD. This miraged love. 

So sweet, so fair, with such 'seductiveness. 
Would by substantiation grow divine. 
Why should we look on loving as a dream, 
A vision born of dimly-seen desire. 
Instead of finding it the centre of the real, 
The concrete form of highest happiness? 

Astupheli — My father will not have it so. 

NiMROD — (rebelliously) The King! 

I have remained as true to Astrael 
As any slave who knows his daily task 
And is too labor-worn to see beyond it. 
But neither king, nor priest, nor any man 
Shall say he " will not have " what I do choose! 

Astupheli — (reproachfully and a little indignantly^ though 
with great gentleness) He is my Father, Nimrod! 

NiMROD — {turning the phrase with instant readiness) Won- 
derful! 
So rare a gem from merely kingly source 



Scene 2 N I M R O D 29 

When earth, sea, sky and fire might all have joined 
The fairest of their powers in one accord 
To bring the dawn In maiden form, In thee. 
{Soldier clashes spear against his shield) 
Who now? 

Soldier. En-Tur, my lord. 

NiMROD. He may come in. 

{Enter En - Tur. He makes an uncouth obeisance to 
the -princess, then walks to where Nimrod is standing) 

En - Tur — The second priest, MItura. Lord, shall 
Forbid him entrance? 




Nimrod. To his own temple? 

No. Withdraw thy guards. 

{Exit En-Tur 
{Turning to Astupheli) These joys are ever brief. 
Farewell, my Love! 

{They embrace and Astupheli walks to one of the side 
entrances) 

Astupheli. My Lord and Love, farewell! 

{Lingers a moment, then as soldier's step is heard, leaves 
hastily) 

{Exit Astupheli 
{Enter En - Tur from the opposite side) 

En-Tur — Prospers thy suit, my Lord? 

Nimrod — {placing his hand in a friendly manner on En- 
Tur's shoulder) So well, En-Tur, 

That thou had'st better pick a score of men, 
Not only brave but silent, keen of wit. 
Able to strike and able to keep still. 
Post them within the Temple. At all times 
Let some be ready there, for I may need 
A hasty wedding with the naked blades 
For marriage lights. Let no one know of this. 



30 N I M R O D Act I 

En - TuR — A wedding to the clash of swords! To me 
It is the bravest music ever heard. My Lord, 
It shall be done. 

{Steps back as Nimrod ttirns to leave. As the latter 
passes tozvard the great altar, the soldiers at the various 
curtaiyied entrances, in obedience to a gesture from En- 
TuR, leave their places and approach, forming a line 
of three on either side, through which Nimrod passes 
thoughtfully, the soldiers following him) 

{Exit Nimrod and soldiers 
There is a warrior! 
He should be king. These smooth-tongued priests 
Make my hands itch, even when weaponless — 
{Enter Mitura, accompanied by an attendant) 

MiTURA — Why art thou here, En-Tur? 

En - TuR. ■ On soldiers' matters. 

Mitura — They told me Princess Astupheli came 

To make her offering at the Moon-shrine. 

Has she been here.^ 
En - TuR. She has. 

Mitura. A curt reply. 

Where is she now? 
En - TuR. The princess left no message. 

Mitura — Go, tell her that I wait. 
En - TuR. A weary stay 

If thou dost wait till I become thy messenger. 
Mitura — {turning to the attendant) 

Tell the princess I have a message from the king. 

{Exit Attendant 

{Turns to En-Tur) Almost thou angerest me. 
En - TuR. Would that I could ! 

I'd love to see thee angry! Thou art stopped 



Scene 2 NIMROD 31 

On thine own temple threshold, shamed, defied, 
And thou art almost angry! Even a cur 
Will snarl over a bone. Fury to thee 
Would mean to whine and cry and stamp thy feet! 
God! That a thing which could have been a man, 
Should turn a priest and sink to spineless craven! 
{Enter Astupheli while En - Tur is speaking, un- 
perceived by the soldier) 

Astupheli — (rebukingly) En-Tur, it is no soldier's part 
to fight with words. 

En - Tur — I would not disadvantage him. Princess, 

He has no other weapons. And the words were hot, 
Molten, and poured upon the anvil of the tongue. 
(Makes a clumsy reverence. Exit En - Tur 

Astupheli — Thou hast a message for me from the king? 

MiTURA — I have a message from a higher source, 
The stars! 

Astupheli. You read of me in them.? 

MiTURA. Of thee! 

Four times, sweet Astupheli, have I told 
My love for thee, and nought received but jest, 
Thine answer — laughter, neither " yes " nor " no." 

Astupheli — Where for my laughter could I find more 
cause.'' 
Thou would'st not chain my laughter, Mitura.'* 

MiTURA — In days gone by I shared thy merriment! 

Astupheli — The dreams of days gone by have lost their 
spell. 
Dreams are so gossamer a fabric that the years 
Touch them unkindly, their substance wastes away. 

MiTURA — We were together always, you and I. 



32 N I M R O D Act I 

AsTUPHELi — To laugh unthinkingly in baby-plays, 
To challenge numbers, pass the colored skein. 
Is childhood's pastime; but to tread on blooms, 
My hand in thine, the bells upon my feet. 
Betokens deeper purposes; it spells our fates, 
'Tis not for jest, this pretty marriage play. 

MiTURA — {pleadingly) Yet, Astupheli, thou didst like me 
then. 

Astupheli — Liking is to Love as lamp to Sun; 
The one is but a comfort in the dark. 
The other is the light of life itself. 
And though I liked thee thousandfold more well 
One thousand lamps will never make one Sun. 

MiTURA — Oftentimes, Astupheli, liking turns to Love 
If fostered by a mutual interest! 

Astupheli — Will common cactus grow to Lotus-bud 
If planted in a garden-robed lagoon? 
Will sun-baked brick shine as a radiant gem 
If placed within the treasure-house of kings.'' 
How then can liking, mere condition-born, 
Be changed to Love.^ A state so beautiful 
That even gods cannot create it twice! 

MiTURA — {sadly) I had thy promise once! 

Astupheli. Only in that strange world 

Of infancy, whither is no return 
Nor even memory of inner self. Long years 
We live there, every year a dozen years - 
Of later counting, and each year we lose 
Our sense of venture. The great leaps of thought 
By which we reach to childhood's plane are lost. 
Our daring flights into the uncharted air 
Of half-seen fancies and of vague ideals 
Change to slow groping round accustomed walls. 



Scene 2 NIMROD 33 

The childhood world where once we made those vows 
Has faded and we cannot reach its shores again. 

MiTURA — Those vows can be renewed, the stars of love 
Shine on thy fate. 

AsTUPHELi. So I interpret them, 

But we read different meanings in their beams. 

MiTURA — (arrogantly) That is for me to read. I am the 
Mage. 

AsTUPHELi — {annoyed by this assumption of superior judg- 
ment^ and speaking with a shade of irony in her 
voice) 
The temple knows thy skill. 

MiTURA — {not perceiving the irony and plunging deeper into 
disfavor) It has good reason, 

And when the gods decree, all must obey. 
I read the stars that thou shall marry me 
Before this moon is old. 

AsTUPHELi — {very calmly) I read not so. 

MiTURA — I do declare it! 

AsTUPHELi. Desire oft blinds judgment. 

Though all the hosts of heaven should illumine 
Thy bold insistence, still should I answer " No! " 

MiTURA — Then must I speak in terms of harsh compulsion, 
The king has promised, and thou must be wed. 

AsTUPHELi — No one can promise in another's name; 
To the king my father will I answer " No! " 

MiTURA — The priests have ways to change a maiden's 
coyness! 

AsTUPHELi — Darest thou threaten me? Hiding thy cow- 
ardice 
Behind the priests and using my father's name? 



34 N I M R O D Act I 

Threaten! And Mitura will forfeit ever^ claim 
To manliness. Be warned. It cannot be. 

Mitura — {showing a sudden anger and striding forward) 
I have a rival.? 

AsTUPHELi. He is so far above thee 

Thou canst not even call him " rival." 

Mitura — Then thou dost love? 

AsTUPHELi. Not thee! 

Mitura. His name? 

Astupheli — Thou hast no right to ask, yet for my pride 
In him I love so well, I answer thee. 
When I shall bid farewell to maiden's ways, 
My feet shall ring in loving reverence 
To Nimrod, captain of my lord the king. 

Mitura — (evincing the most undisguised amazement at this 
disclosure) 
Nimrod! 

Astupheli. My lord Nimrod. 

Mitura. He is not even born 

Of royal line! He is not a Chaldee! 
He is a stranger, blown here by some chance gust 
Of fortune! Where is thy pride of race? 
Thou canst not dream of such a marriage! 

Astupheli — {scornfully) And thou 

Art skilled in mysteries! If In the dust 
I find an eagle's feather, shall I say 
No eagle would fly over such a spot. 
This feather, though it seem of eagle breed. 
Must drop from carrion crow? If I discern 
A sacred flower in a weedy pool 
Shall I deny its grace because it dwells 
Where none can lavish worship? 



Scene 2 NIMROD 35 

MiTURA. But the King — 

AsTUPHELi — My father needs no herald to his child. 

MiTURA — Thou must obey ! 

{A rapid step is heard, accompanied by the clanking of 
armor, and one of the curtains at the entrance near the 
great altar is drawn hack hastily. Astupheli and 
MiTURA turn.) 

{Enter Gilvar - Ur, evidently not expecting to find 
anyone in the Temple. He halts suddenly, on seeing 
Astupheli and Mitura and looks from one to the 
other, realizing that he has broken in upon a strained 
situation) 

Astupheli. Welcome, Lord Gilvar-Ur, 

Thou comest opportunely. Be thou my witness 
That I have answered Lord Mitura's suit. 
{Turns to Mitura) 

This is my word: That Astupheli scorns 
Thy readings of the stars and thy compulsion. 
The daughter of a king and line of kings 
Knows naught of " shall " and has not heard of 

"must!" 
Thyself I do despise, thy threats I scorn. 
Thy presence is an insult. Go! 
(Mitura steps forward as though about to make a 
vindictive reply, but before he speaks, Gilvar-Ur 
suddenly drops the butt of his spear upon the floor with 
a ringing crash and Mitura half-turns. He encoun- 
ters the gaze of Gilvar - Ur and realizes that the ani- 
mosity between the soldiers and the priests would blaze 
forth instantly if he insulted Astupheli by a word. 
He stands sullenly a moment, then turns away, leaving 
by one of the smaller entrances) 

{Exit Mitura 
Lord Gilvar-Ur, 
I hold you as a friend! 



36 N I M R O D Act I 

GiLVAR - Ur. Earth holds no richer guerdon, 

Here I swear — 

AsTUPHELi. There is no time! Be deeds thy vows! 

All hangs on moments. Bring Lord Nimrod here, 
Tell him that Mitura has threatened me. 
Thou heardest my last answer. I am lost 
Unless he comes here quickly. 

GiLVAR - Ur — {grasping the situation instantly) You are 
betrothed 1 
And have defied the priests! 

( Turns sharply on his heel and hurries to the nearest 
entrance. Just as he is about to raise his hand to draw 
aside the curtain, it is moved and a priest steps out, 
others showing behind him) 

The priests! 
{Walks sharply to another ^ entrance, where the same 
occurs, and to the main entrances, where as he draws 
back the curtains, ranks of priests are seen in waiting) 

More priests ! 
{Draws bronze sword and walks back quietly to where 
AsTUPHELi is Standing) 

In open field, Princess, some chance might be. 
But in this trap, to rush on death would serve 
No useful purpose. 

{Enter Astrael, white with rage. He is closely fol- 
lowed by Mitura and Cal - Erech. The priests 
remain grouped about the several entrances, thus 
preventing the escape of Gilvar - Ur) 

Astrael. What tale is this I hear 

Of Nimrod and of thee? 

{Suddenly notices Gilvar - Ur standing with drawn 
sword by the side of Astupheli) 

Lord Gilvar-Ur! 
A friend of Nimrod here! Then thou dost know? 



Scene 2 NIMROD 37 

GiLVAR - Ur. Great king, 

I know! 

AsTRAEL. Secrets of kings must be forgotten! 

Take him to silence! 

(GiLVAR - Ur sheathes his sword as a number oj the 
priests surround him, his captors drawing their sacri- 
ficial knives from their girdles. He makes no resist- 
ance and is led toward one of the smaller entrances. 
Just as they reach the curtain he turns) 

GiLVAR - Ur. Is it death, O King? 

AsTRAEL — {struggling for composure) I have not said. 
(GiLVAR - Ur salutes and is led out hy the priests) 

{Exit GiLVAR - Ur 
{The king turns to Astupheli) Thou wilt wed 
Mitura! 

Astupheli — I have refused him. 

AsTRAEL — {speaking as a command) Thou shalt wed Mi- 
tura! 
My royal word is given. 

Astupheli. And my word, 

No whit less royal. Father, has been pledged 
To Nimrod, captain of my lord the King. 

AsTRAEL — {losing control of himself and storming to and fro) 
Word! Troth! Thine! Nimrod's! 
{Strides threateningly towards her) 

Devils eat his heart! 
Grant me, ye gods, that kites may fatten on him 

soon! 
If on the battlefield he is not slain. 
The hands of kings reach far and Nimrod dies. 

Astupheli — {showing fear) Thou would'st not stoop to 
such a base revenge! 
Think of thine honor as a king! 



^S N I M R O D Act I 

AsTRAEL. My honor is mine own! 

AsTUPHELi — It is thy daughter's also; thy pride is mine. 
Wilt thou, by one ignoble action, sweep away 
The royalty of thine own majesty? 

AsTRAEL — (scornfully) Thy pride! How darest thou to 
speak of pride? 
Coupling thy name with this base-born adventurer! 

AsTUPHELi — (surprised) Base-born! 

(There is such evidence of hidden knotvledge in her 
tone that Astra el falls back in consteriiation. The 
princess is equally astonished and the tzvo stare at one 
another for a 7noment. Then Astupheli guesses at 
the truth) 

Hadst thou forgotten that I knew his birth? 

AsTRAEL — (in a hoarse zvhisper) - Who told thee? 

Astupheli — Thou didst thyself! 

AsTRAEL. When? 

Astupheli. Many years ago, 

When Nimrod was my sturdy playfellow 
And I had only just begun to speak. 
Thou saidst but little, I have learned the rest; 
Nimrod and I have proved that all is true. 

Astrael — He knows the secret ? 

Astupheli. Else he could not ask 

My troth, nor plight his own. Am I not royal-born? 

Astrael — (in fearful a7iger) Ten thousand curses on all 
loose-hinged tongues 
That willingly will wreck a dynasty 
For the brief transports of a youthful love. 

Astupheli — I would put love above all things on earth, 
Above the crown, above the dvnastv, 



Scene 2 N I M R O D 39 

Above self-happiness, above the gods, 

Since these are but the parts of that great love 

Which is Life's best excuse to us for Life. 

AsTRAEL — Put love above the dynasty? Mad! Mad! 
Thy brain is turned. 

(Turns to Cal - Erech) The princess is in pain, 
She raves! Some malady hath smitten her. 
Let her be closely watched. No word must pass 
That can reach Nimrod ere he march away. 
(Cal - Erech and another priest place themselves on 
either side oj Astupheli and gently urge her on. She 
looks round despairingly but her glances encounter 
none but those oj priests) 

Cal - Erech — The halls are filled with priests. 'Tis vain 
to cry. 
(Astupheli, seeing the uselessness of struggle, submits 
to be led away, but she begins an appeal) 
Astupheli — Father — 

Astrael. It is the King who is thy father! 

{Exit Astupheli and Cal - Erech 

MiTURA — {desiring to turn the King's attention away from 
the scene with Astupheli) 
Truly thou art the King! How all the people 
Greeted with acclamation thy appearing! 
Only last night they clamored in rebellion. 
To-day they worship once again. 

Astrael — {gratified) I moved them ! 

Mitura — Thy words were Fate, they fell with measured 
power 
Resistless. Inexorable as the march of Time 
Phrase built on phrase and prophecy on prophecy 
Till doubt and disloyalty dared not be. 

Astrael — Even the soldiery gave voice! 



40 N I M R O D Act I 

MiTURA. That was the thrill of war! 

With victory abroad and peace at home 
We may accomplish all our purposes. 
{Enter Cal - Erech, he steps directly to the king) 

AsTRAEL — The princess is recovered ? 

Cal - Erech — {blandly) She is fatigued, 

But guarded from unwelcome importunity 
She will rest undisturbed. 

{While Cal - Erech is speaking, a young priest zvho 
has been standing near one of the entrarices steps for- 
zvard and whispers to Mitura, who in turn looks to 
AsTRAEL zvith a puzzled, anxious expression) 

Mitura. O Lord and King, 

Lord En-Tur, with a message, waits without. 
Thou wilt not see him? 

Astrael. We will hear his message. 

{Enter En - Tur. His step is hurried and he speaks 
ijnpatiently) 

En - Tur — My Lord and King, Lord Nimrod bade me say 
That in less time than hunting cheetah spends 
To seize his prey, the army starts to march. 
I am his herald. He wishes speech with thee. 

Astrael — I cannot see him now. 

En - Tur. My Lord and King 

He did not ask me to bring back an answer. 
He only bade me herald his approach. 
He wishes speech with thee. 

Astrael. Will he then force his way? 

Cal - Erech — {urgently, in an aside to the king) 

Hear him, and let him go! We cannot risk delay! 
(Nimrod's voice is heard, giving commanding orders of 
rebuke) 



Scene 2 NIMROD 



41 



NiMROD — (outside the Temple chamber) Stand back, ye 



priests! 

Cal - Erech — We must not seem thus to oppose his com- 
ing! 
{Loudly) Admit Lord Nimrod. 
{Enter Nimrod. He is in battle-armor oj the ancient 
Babylonian type, richly inlaid) 

Nimrod. Thrice ten thousand men 

Await the word to march! King Astrael, 
Before I leave, remains there aught to say? 

Astrael — My Lord, the conquest must be absolute. 
The Cities of the Plain must be subdued, 
Pay homage, render tribute and forswear 
All worship save to Eridhu's great gods. 

Nimrod — Conquest I will achieve, the Plains subdue, 
Secure the Cities' homage and their tribute win. 
But do not rob them of their faith and hope ! 
Let them retain their gods! 

Astrael. What carest thou for gods? 

Deal thou with sieges, battlefields and camps, 
Confine thy sentiment to strategy! 

Nimrod — {nettled) Are then the stars informants of my 
mind ? 

Of armies only must I speak to thee? 

A soldier's mind may think on priestly things, 

A priestly mind may ponder bloody things. 

Yet — thou art King and thou shalt be obeyed. 

One further word — when I return a conqueror, 

I shall ask speech with thee. Thy daughter's hand 

Is fitting guerdon for my victories. 
Astrael — When thou returnest I will hear thy suit. 

I pledge my word. 
Nimrod. Nor shall another sue? 



42 N I M R O D Act I 

AsTRAEL — (pointedly) Till thou returnest victor of the 
Plain, 
No other suitor to my daughter's hand 
Save him who here within this place this day 
I have considered, if victorious. 
Shall have a hearing. 

(Nods slightly to Mitura, then turns to Nimrod with 
assumed frankness) 

Thou art satisfied? 

Nimrod — The King's word is an oath. (Salutes) O King, 
farewell ! 

(Exit Nimrod and En - Tur) 

AsTRAEL — (turning to Mitura as the sound of Nimrod's 
steps dies away in the distance) 
Thou hearest, Mitura, the King's word is an oath! 

Mitura — (in alarm) Thy promise was to me ! 

AsTRAEL. The King's oath is to thee! 

(Curtain) 
End ACT I 



ACT II 



ACT II, Scene i 

Scene — The market-place of^ Plat-livat, the largest of the 
Cities of the Plain, which has just surrendered to Nim- 
ROD. The market-place, which, as customary with 
cities of the period, also was the Square of Judgment, 
stands just inside the city gates. At the hack are seen 
the wall and gates, each with a high watchman's turret 
beside it, the turret by the left gate having been half- 
demolished by a huge stone flung from a catapult, 
which stone, together with the debris of the turret, lies 
at its base. The other tower is whole. The gates are 
open, and one, partly shattered, is almost torn from its 
hinges. Through the open gates is seen the fertile 
valley of the Euphrates, zvith the river in the distance 
crossed by a bridge of boats. Beside the road leading 
to the bridge are pitched the rough tents of Nimrod's 
army, which has besieged and taken the city. 

On either side of the market-place are houses, in 
various stages of demolition, the sun-baked brick of 
which they were made lying in heaps about the square. 
Around the Judgment Seat, near the uninjured turret, 
it is evident that a bitter fight has zvaged, for many 
bodies lie around it, and across the seat itself, which 
has been overturned during the struggle, is stretched the 
body of a man. A large catapult stone lies in the centre 
of the market-place, evidently having crushed one of the 
defenders in its fall, for a part of the body protrudes 
from under it. Broken arrows, spear-heads and cleft 
shields are scattered about this scene of recent carnage. 
The Time is Afternoon. 

45 



46 N I M R O D Act II 

As the curtain rises, the Hermit, closely followed by 
two soldiers of Nimrod's army, as captors, enters the 
market-place from one of the city streets. En - Tur 
stands near the stone in the centre of the stage and he 
is blood-stained from head to foot. His armor is badly 
hacked and his shoulder is roughly bandaged. He leans 
on his spear wearily and faces the Hermit as the latter 
is brought in. 

Hermit — {pointing to the corpses near the judgment seat 
and speaking accusingly and with bitter irony) 

Here are a monarch's triumphs! Every stiffened 
form, 

With staring eyeball glazed and lustreless. 

Speaks of King Astrael! 

En - Tur. Death is the mate of War, 

No matter how restrained. Never was field 
More merciful! 

Hermit. And yet, only last night 

These lived. Courage was theirs, and hope, 
The simple human passions, the high aims 
And all the thrill of deeds yet to be done. 
To-day — the vultures gather in the sky. 

En - Tur — Theirs was a soldier's death! 

Hermit. Which means a useless one. 

En - Tur — They died with honor, Hermit. None do more ! 

Hermit — (sneeringly) This was the fate to which their 
honor brought them! 

En - Tur — Fetter thy curst ill-omened tongue or thou 
shalt find 
I am less generous than Nimrod. When he bade 
That I should set thee free into the wilderness 
With one full water-skin and two days' food, 



Scene i NIMROD 47 

I questioned not his orders. But I swear 

Thou shalt go tongueless If thou defame the dead. 

Hermit — They were thine enemies! 

En - TuR. They are dead comrades now 

As I have learned from Nimrod. 
{Points to the two soldiers that have been standing by) 

These are thy guides. 

Hermit — At least there are no tyrants In the wilderness! 

En - Tur — Hunger shall be thy master, his stern rule 

Brooks no revolt. Though thou didst traitorously 

warn 
The Cities of the Plain, thou hast escaped a death 
That thou deservest richly. Go! 

Hermit — {throwing up his arms with a frantic gesture) 
Woe! Woe! 

En - Tur — {striding angrily towards him) 

Wilt thou be silent! Dost thou wish my lord 
To find thee here.? Not twice wilt thou escape! 

Hermit — {being half-dragged to the gate, as the sound of a 
body of men approaching is heard) 
I go! But leave my curse — 

{At a sign from En - Tur one of the soldiers puts his 
hand over the Hermit's mouth, and harshly silenced 
thus, the Hermit and the soldiers pass through the city 
gate) 

{Exit Hermit 

En - Tur. Curses from such as he 

Do little hurt. But words can give a wound. 
I would not wish a curse from old Enochael. 
{While he is speaking, a band of soldiers files in, war- 
beaten but flushed with victory, laden with the spoils 
of conquest. They form a rude line and some of them 



48 N I M R O D Act II 

gather about the overturned Judgment Seat, setting it 
upright) 

{Enter Nimrod) 

NiMROD — {glancing round and speaking inquiringly to En- 
Tur) 
I thought I heard that Hermit's voice again, 
With his wild cry of "Woe!" 

En - TuR. He has just fled. 

I would have stricken out his evil tongue 
And made him harmless! 

Nimrod. There Is suffering enough 

Without our adding to the sum, En-Tur. 
The clash of arms and clamor-cries of war 
Wake not the music in my heart which once 
They used to do, the strings are not in tune 
For such harsh harmony. 

En - TuR. Where is a sound more sweet 

Than rattling death cry in a foeman's throat? 
My Lord, I know naught sweeter! 

Nimrod. Grim hound of war, 

What battle-loving Amazon was thy nurse? 
Surely thou never didst drink milk as babe 
But clutched at the breast with tiny bruising gripe 
And cried for blood to quench thy infant thirst! 
In mimic war didst thou thy childhood spend 
That thou in youth didst seek the battlefield ? 

En - TuR — {proudly) My father fought beside. the former 
king. 

Nimrod — He was a hero, well I know the tale. 
But thou hast far outdone his love of war, 
Thine eyes are color-blind, the universe 
Would only seem desirable to thee 
If thou couldst see the heavens raining blood. 



Scene i NIMROD 49 

And the trees, stripped of their leaves, made to 

appear 
The fleshless skeletons of all thy foes! 

En - TuR — Should not a warrior love warfare, Lord ? 

NiMROD — There are more noble loves than battle-lust. 
The only joy I have in all these victories 
Is that they bring me nearer to my goal. 
The princess Astupheli and my love. 

En - TuR — A noble maiden! In the Temple hall 
It seemed to me she walked most soldierly. 

NiMROD — (laughing) With chest thrown back and strut 
of drill-field — so! 
{Takes a few steps in imitation of a precise soldier in 
full armor and self-conscious of his appearance) 
A swagger of the shoulder? 
(Returns /o En - Tur smilingly) Good En-Tur, 
Thy compliments would never make her vain. 
Nay, rather, say she walked as goddess might 
With grace of motion like to waving corn 
Where every ear throws forth a differing gleam 
Yet all bend gracefully before the breeze. 
So she to every movement gives new grace 
And renders grace itself more wonderful. 

En - Tur — My Lord, thou art in love with her! 

NiMROD. Truly, good friend. 

I love her love and love her loveliness. 
Since loving lends more loveliness to love 
And loving loveliness makes lovely love. 

En - Tur — What profits it to love unless thou weddest? 

To love, and not to wed the girl that thou dost love 
Is like to drill and never see the foe. 
Thou lovest? So! Then marry! But, my lord, 
How canst thou wed the princess? 



50 N I M R O D Act II 

NiMROD. And why not? 

En - TuR — Thou art not royal and the princess is. 

NiMROD — Am I not royal? What say they of my birth? 

En - TuR — That thou wert rescued by King Astrael 
Just as a lion was about to seize thee! 

NiMROD — {scornfully) The royal beast was dead. 

En-Tur. Dead? 

NiMROD. ... ^ war-spear 

Was buried in his heart. 

En - TuR — {with amazement) But none save kings 
May hunt the lion! 

NiMROD. As the king reached the place, 

Leaped to his feet a boy scarce three years old, 
And, leaning on the lion's mane, he waved 
A toy spear made from an arrow shaft 
And threatened Astrael. 

En - TuR. It was an omen. 

NiMROD — Seeing no peasant's brat in such defiance. 
King Astrael withdrew the heavy war-spear 
And found engraved upon the blade and shaft 
The triple snake of Astu-men-ephat! 

En - TuR — {excitedly) The spear of Cush, that mighty 
conqueror. 

Whose triple snake hissed over all the world? 

His son was lost, and thou — ? 
NiMROD. Shall I not wed 

The princess Astupheli? 
En - TuR. Surely, Lord, 

But why withhold the secret? 
NiMROD. I did not know 

Until I wooed sweet Astupheli. 



Scene i NIMROD 51 

En-Tur. 'Tis strange! 

Why should the princess know? King Astrael 
Should have reserved such secret to himself. 

NiMROD — When we were playmates, in some childish jest 
I angered Astupheli, and the girl 
Ran to her father, crying, " Kill the slave! " 
The king, desiring that the child should live 
With someone as her equal, thus to curb 
Haughtiness growing from orders never checked, 
Hinted the story of my parentage. 

En - TuR — He does not know that thou hast ever heard? 

NiMROD — Not yet. When I return in triumph he shall 
know. 

En - TuR — {thoughtfully) I cannot see why he should have 
let thee live. 

NiMROD — I think he feared lest Astu-men-ephat 

Should rise rebellious, then he could make claim 
That he had saved and helped their king, and thus 
Could hold the country as a protectorate. 

En - TuR — Then thou art king of Astu-men-ephat, 
Though only trained as soldier. 

NiMROD. I have the lore, 

The old Chaldean wisdom, for Astupheli, 
Who is most deeply skilled, has taught me all. 

En - TuR — Why not dethrone the king? 

NiMROD. He is her father! 

{Soldier enters, salutes Nimrod, then steps up to En- 
TuR and speaks in an aside. En - Tur nods and 
motions him away) 

En - Tur — My Lord, the conquered queen requests an au- 
dience. 



52 N I M R O D Act II 

She bade her captain in their temple shrine 
Prepare to make a stand against our host. 
Thy orders were that we should hold from slaugh- 
ter, 
Make captives and not corpses. 

NiMROD. Thus I said. 

En - TuR — I pledged my word if they laid down their 
arms 
That thou would'st hear her plea. 

NiMROD. Let her be brought! 

If in the courts of priests stern justice hides her face, 
The ooen air of battlefields affords 
An opportunity to truth and equity. 
{The soldier salutes and leaves by the street leading to 
the city. Other soldiers, those who had entered zvith 
NiMROD, move the heavy stone Judgment Seat nearer 
the centre, pile cloaks upon it, and hastily arrange it as 
a throne) 

What sayest thou, En-Tur, about the city. 
Shall we pillage it.** 

En - TuR. They made a fierce resistance. 

NiMROD. — They should be honored for their steadfastness. 
No mercy to the craven, but brave men 
Break down the barriers of an alien race 
And form a mighty nation of brave men, 
Their banners different but their hearts akin 
In one vast fellowship of bravery. 
(NiMROD steps upon the Judgment Seat, -as a guard of 
soldiers enters bringing in Peliaii-Hem, the queen of 
the conquered city, richly attired, but "with light armor 
over her woman^s robes. She is followed by her shield- 
bearer and a group of captive soldiers. All these 
are unarmed, but a bowman, evidently belonging to the 
city and not to Nimrod's army, slips in unperceived, 



Scene i N I M R O D S3 

and during the ensuing dialogue edges his way to the 

demolished turret) 

Thou hast some boon to ask of me? 

Peliah - Hem — {with subdued dignity) Great Lord, 

I crave no boon as woman or as queen, 
Nor is my cry for mercy, but to Reason's ear 
A plea for hearing. 

NiMROD. Speak, Queen. The ear of Reason 

Shall be thy only arbiter. 

Peliah - Hem. My Lord, 

Whatever be thy will with us, remember 

One day's destruction wastes long years of toil. 

Raze not the walls! Do not destroy the aqueducts 

Which bring our children water in the times of drouth ! 

Thou gainest nothing, we lose all! 

{The watchman in the turret, who, during this speech, 

has been pacing from side to side peering through his 

hands at the plain beyond the river, suddenly raises 

his arm, as though demanding attention) 

Watchman. A messenger! 

NiMROD — Why should I spare the town.? Not till a breach 
was made 
Didst thou surrender. 

Peliah - Hem. So great a conqueror 

Surely will never blame a valorous defense. 

NiMROD — Hear the terms offered by the King of Eridhu. 
Wilt thou pay tribute unto Astrael, 
Bow at his throne and worship him as god? 

Peliah - Hem — {indignantly) Worship is of the heart, 
war finds no conquest there. 

NiMROD — Slavery both of body and of mind — 
Such is the mercy of King Astrael! 



54 N I M R O D Act II 

Peliah - Hem — Shall I say " yes " to serve a pressing 
need ? 
And when thy army is again withdrawn 
Abjure my queenly oath and build the wall anew? 
If all thou offerest is slavery — 
Raze first our city to the very ground, 
Plunder the homes your warriors have made desolate, 
Pile up our bodies in the cindered ways 
And let the jackals howl where children played. 

Watchman — {from the turret) A messenger! 

{At this repetition of the cry, Nimrod leans back in 
his seat in such a posture that he can see through the 
open city gates. On the instant, the archer, who has 
been crouching among the ruins — half-way up the de- 
molished turret — springs to his feet and drazvs his arrow 
to the head. En - Tur, zvho is standing behind Nim- 
rod, sees the act, but is prevented from taking any de- 
fensive action by the high, broad Judgment Seat) 

En - Tur — My Lord ! Protect thyself! 

{At the cry, and 07i seeing En - Tur pointing over 
toward the left-hand turret, Peliah - Hem turns and 
sees the archer about to loose the shaft. With a quick- 
ness of action unexpected in her she seizes her shield 
from the armor-bearer, leaps upon the lozver step of 
the Judgment Seat and catches the arrow, which re- 
mains quivering in the shield) 

Nimrod — {with admiring gratitude) I am thy debtor, Queen. 

Peliah - Hem — Lord Nimrod, sorrow hast thou brought 
for guest, 
My son is slain, my city conquered, yet I feel 
More poignantly the stain of treachery. 

Watchman — {fro7n the turret) A messenger in haste! 

Nimrod. I am required 

By loyalty to Astrael to voice 



Scene i N I M R O D 55 

This harsh decree, O Queen.^ Yet as thy conqueror 

I may relieve the rigors of his law. 

Wilt thou pay homage and wilt render tribute? 

Watchman — {Jro77i the turret) A messenger from Eridhu! 
(En - TuR hurries to the base of the turret and appears 
a moment later standing beside the watcher on the 
parapet) 

Peliah - Hem — I will pay homage. What tribute dost 
thou ask.? 

En - TuR — {cries loudly from the turret) 

Lord Nimrod, on the mighty steed Gebhir 
Comes one from Eridhu at utmost haste! 

NiMROD — On Gebhir.? Over the desert? Who dares ride 
my horse? 
{Turns to Peliah - Hem) 
Thou shalt send embassies to Eridhu, 
King Astrael himself shall fix thy tribute. 

En-Tur — My Lord! Tis Gilvar-Ur, whom thou didst 
leave to guard 
The princess Astupheli! 

Nimrod — {rising and facing the gates) Gilvar-Ur! 

And on Gebhir! . , 

{A cloud of dust in the distance resolves itself into a 
horse and rider as the latter leaves the dusty plain for the 
bridge of boats which spans the Euphrates River. From 
the stride of the horse it is seen that he is laboring heavily 
and the rider leans far forward over his neck, urging 
him 07i) 

Gods! How he rides! 
{As the horse and rider approach. En -Tur_ cow^j 
down from the turret and steps forward beside the 
Judgment Seat. The hoofbeats are distinctly heard, 
even the occasional stumble of an overridden horse being 



56 N I M R D Act II 

distinguishable on the hard ground. Just as he reaches 
the gate Gilvar - Ur flings himself from his horse 
and rushes in) 

What news? 

Gilvar -Ur — M7 Lord, the worst! The princess marries 
Mitura 
Just as the sun shall reach the zenith's height 
To-morrow! 

NiMROD — {incredulously y 7iot from doubt but from desire not 
to believe the report) 

Thou sayest Astupheli weds? 

Gilvar - Ur — Four days ago it was decreed. 

NiMROD — {speaking in a stifled voice) To Mitura? 

Gilvar - Ur — To Mitura, my Lord. 'Tis by compulsion. 

NiMROD — How knowest thou that? 

Gilvar -Ur. The princess is in prison! 

NiMROD — {stiffening rigidly and speaking in a hard, dry 
voice) 
I might have guessed their trickery! 
{Suddenly loses control of himself and shouts in fury) 

'Tis forced ! 
A marriage forced ! I say, a marriage forced ! 
{Advances on Gilvar - Ur like a zvhirlzvind) 
It must be stopped! You hear? 
{Pauses, as though trying to control himself, then 
bursts out) 

It must be stopped! 
{Wheels round suddenly upon En - Tur) 
I say it must be stopped! 

En - Tur. Is there a way? 

Nimrod — What care I for a way? It must be stopped! 
{Whirls his great bronze sword over Gilvar - Ur) 



Scene i NIMROD 57 

What did you do? {Madly) I would have slain the 

king! 
Wrenched Mitura to pieces, limb from limb! 
Heaped the priests' corpses like a wall of clay, 
Brick upon brick, with mortar of their blood. 
{He shakes with rage as though in palsy) 
Answer, I say! I left thee twenty men! 
Why is the king alive? Why Mitura? 
(GiLVAR - Ur tries to speak but is paralyzed by fear oj 
the ungovernable passion of Nimrod) 
With twenty men I would sweep Eridhu 
Of every living thing within its walls. 
And every man with finger in this plot 
Shall rot before this moon has spent her course! 
{He pauses, breathless, anger choking his speech. 
There is a silence which no one dares to break. Nimrod 
bursts out again) 
Shall rot! You hear me? Rot! 
{Again threatens Gilvar - Ur with his sword) 

Where are thy men? 
{Stamps impatiently as Gilvar - Ur remains silent) 
Speak, dog! Thou hast a tongue! 
{Takes him by the throat) Must I drag out 

The truth with heated fish-hooks? 

En - TuR — {interrupting in an attempt to check Nimrod's 
wrath) 

Nay, my Lord, 
Have reason. 
Nimrod — {loosening his grip on Gilvar - Ur and turning 
to En - Tur) 

Usest thou thy tongue to me? 
Who bade thee speak? Thou shalt be flayed alive 
If thou dost speak to me unless I bid thee! 
Now wilt thou speak? 

En - Tur — {doggedly) I have been wont to speak 



58 N I M R O D Act II 

Both when and how it pleases me. My tongue 
Is duller than my sword, but both are free! 

NiMROD — Now by the mother's womb that bare thee, dog, 
I bade thee silence, bade another speak! 
The one stares blankly with a dropping chin, 
The other prates to me. 

En - TuR — {without a change of voice) Others may fear — 
(NiMROD suddenly shifts his sword to his left hand^ 
draws a javelin from his belt and poises it for the throw. 
En - TuR stands unmoved, not a muscle of his face 
changing) 

NiMROD — {less furiously , turning to Gilvar - Ur) 

Where were thy soldiers? Answer! I want the 
truth. 

Gilvar - Ur — My Lord, I never saw them. Before you 
left ^ 
I was in prison because I overheard 
The princess defying Mitura, the king, 
The priests, avowing all her love for thee. 

NiMROD — Before I marched from Eridhu? Astupheli 
A captive, and I a hundred yards away! 
Could no one tell me? 

Gilvar - Ur. No one, Lord. 

They gagged me tightly, bound me hand and foot, 

And cast me in a dungeon. I escaped 

By bribery. Some tried to stop my way, 

But they have gone a greater journey. 

I did not dare to stay, I seized a horse. 

Rode till I met a caravan; my horse was done, 

At thy mere name they gave another, him I rode 

Straight to thy camp. On hearing of thy need, 

Bil-Nar brought out Gebhir. The sun is little lower 

Than when I left the city, two days' ride away. 



Scene i NIMROD 59 

NiMROD — {moodily) To-morrow at sun's height! Two 
days away! 
So Astrael is foe and war declared. 
{Turns suddenly to Peliah - Hem) 
I am thy victor, not King Astrael. 
I, Nimrod, King of Astu-men-ephat 
And son of Cush, the conqueror, declare 
War against Astrael. I grant thy boon 
And claim allegiance to my cause. 

Peliah - Hem. But why — 

Nimrod — Ask me no questions now! 

Peliah - Hem — {hastily snatching at the opportunity) 

I will swear friendship. 

Nimrod — But how to stop the marriage.'* 
{Holds up hand to impose silence) 

Not a word, 
A sign, a sound, from anyone! 

{Paces to and fro. A soldier moves slightly, his arms 
rattling and Nimrod turns sharply with bared gums. 
The silence is intense) One chance! 

And only one! The patriarch! Enochael, 
The mighty Hebrew prophet unto whom the tribes 
Give faith unquestioning. He may evoke 
Some power never granted unto other men. 
{Turns io En - Tur) 
En-Tur, ride with all speed to Eridhu, 
Besiege the city, capture Astrael, 
But do not kill him. Though his oath be false. 
Still is he Astupheli's father. 

(En - Tur is ahout to answer him, hut Nimrod strikes 
in harshly) 

Do not speak! 
( Turns to Peliah - Hem) 
Send all thy forces with him. Ride to-night. 



6o N I M R O D Act II 

{Turns to En -Tur) Free all the captives! 

{Walks toward the gates just as the great war-horse is 

led in beside the turret) 

I will ride Gebhir! 
{Thoughtfully) To-morrow, at sun's height. 
{Puts his hand on the horse'' s mane^ and as he does so a 
faint murmur of whispering is heard. Nimrod glares) 

Did someone speak! 

{Curtain) 

End SCENE i 



ACT II, Scene 2 

Scene — The encampment of the patriarchy Enochael. From 
a small outcrop of rocks trickles a slender stream. To 
the left is a group of cultivated fig-trees of the large- 
leaved variety, not more than fifteen feet in height, one 
or fwo cedars of Lebanon towering up from among 
them. A large tent, of camel-hide dyed black, stands 
under the tallest of the cedars. To the right is seen a 
group of majestic date-palms and under their shadow 
is a smaller tent, more delicately wrought, a silken cur- 
tain fluttering over the entrance. Parts of other tents 
appear as glimpses through the foliage, suggesting a 
large encampment. 

In the immediate foreground, the outcrop of rock 
juts forward, forming a rude flat surface a few inches 
above the level of the sward. In the centre of this low 
table of rock is a socket in which a spear is thrust, blade 
upward, sloping slightly to the left. Rude divisions, 
as of a primitive sun-dial, are carved in the native rock, 
and the shadow of the spear strikes sharply upon them. 
On either side the shade is deep, but in the centre, the 
sun of a cloudless sky shines fiercely through a gap in 
the trees. 

On the opposite side, and a little further back than 
the entrance to the smaller tent is seen a rough, plain 
altar, constructed of gilded boards pegged together to 
form four sides, being then filled with sand. A fire 
smolders on it, its simplicity being in striking contrast 
to the gorgeous shrines noted in the Star-Temple. 

Beyond the clump of trees the country is seen to be 



62 N I M R O D Act II 

of a gently undulating character, almost treeless save 
for one or two copses of the type seen in the fore- 
ground. The slopes are green with verdure and studded 
with scarlet poppy-anemones. Upon this pasture 
browse great flocks of sheep and goats. The scene is 
one of pastoral quietiide, save for the single aggressive 
note — the spear in its rock-socket telling the hours hy 
the blazing sun. In the far distance is the desert. 

The Time is Morning, drawing on towards noon. 

As the curtain rises, Yarethah steps from the 
smaller tent and crosses the stage to note the time on 
the dial. An old shepherd, with his long crook, is 
lying on the turf beside the larger tent; he rises as she 
comes near. After stooping to note the hour, Yare- 
thah steps upon the unengraved portion of the dial- 
plate and reads aloud the carving on the rock above) 

Yarethah — {reading) How wonderful are all Jehovah's 
ways. 
He makes the great sun rise to nourish trees 
And bids trees grow to shade his ardent beams; 
He gives the stream to quench a desert thirst 
And sends the dew to swell the tiny spring, 
Whence flows the stream perpetually. Each day 
He has ordained such work to every man 
That he may need to rest, each night sends rest 
And all the peace of quiet sleeping. 
{While she is reading the shepherd goes to the edge of 
the clump of trees and shading his eyes with his hand 
looks out over the plain. In a moment 'he turns and 
goes toward the larger tent) 

The stranger nears the camp? Bring bread and salt. 
Who rides must taste our hospitality. 
{The shepherd makes a gesture of assent and enters 
the larger tent) 
Who can it be.'' Some noble warrior! 



Scene 2 N I M R O D 63 

(Stands by the flap of the smaller tent. Although in 
the full-flowing divided garments gathered in at the 
ankle, she is not veiled save for a maiden's snood over 
her hair) 

{Enter Nimrod, saluting Yarethah ivith ancient 
formality, laying his right hand upon his forehead, 
then touching his lips and his heart and extending the 
hand in token of amity) 
Thou wouldest see Enochael, my lord ? 

Nimrod — If possible, Yarethah, without delay. 
Yarethah — {surprised that the stranger should know her 
name) 

Thou knowest me! Thy pardon, noble guest, 

That I should lack so much in courtesy 

As not to know thy name. 
Nimrod. 'Twas years ago. 

I am Nimrod, Yarethah! Where is thy father.? 

Yarethah — {coining forward delightedly) 

Nimrod! But how could I have known thee? 
Forget thee — nay, would I forget the day 
When the black leopard turned to bay, and thou, 
Though but a lad, attacked him with thy blade. 
Took the beast's life, then with a merry grace, 
Came crying — " I am sorry, Yarethah, 
I could not capture him for pet of thine." 
Art thou still fond of hunting.? 

Nimrod. . There is naught 

Worth hunting now. Even the lion gives no sport. 
Yarethah, I seek thy father! 

Yarethah — {pouting) Why in such haste? 

The Nimrod that I used to know of old 
Did not betray such eagerness to leave me. 

Nimrod — {impatiently) Where is Enochael ? I have no time 



64 N I M R D Act II 

To prate of childhood days! 
(Yarethah turns away ofendedly) 

Nay, Yarethah, 
I am as glad as thee to think of them, 
But life and death hang by my using haste. 
And I must see thy father Instantly. 

Yarethah — {speaking with constraint) 
My father is away from camp. 

NiMROD — {in consternation) Away? 

Where did he go? When? Can I overtake him? 

Yarethah — Three days ago he left, and then he said 
He would return before the sun was high 
On the third day. I think that caravan 
Out on the hillside yonder must be his. 
Thy need is urgent — 
(NiMROD makes a gesture of impatience) 

then, for childhood's sake 
I will send word. 
{Calls to the shepherds) 

Ben Ik, take the white mare, 
Ride at full speed to yonder caravan 
And ask Enochael to hasten home. 
{Turns to Nimrod) 

Now I have done all that I can to help thee. 
Tell me thy tale. What Is thy cause for haste? 

NiMROD — The maid, to whom my troth was pledged, to-day 
must wed 
A weakling whom she hates, a harsh cojnpulslon. 
Forced by King Astrael to save the dynasty. 

Yarethah — How can she wed unless she loves, Nimrod? 
(NiMROD pays no heed to the question, but walks to the 
spear, and stooping down, measures the length of 
shadow. Rises and looks over the plain in the direc- 
tion that the shepherd had taken) 



Scene 2 N I M R O D 65 

Was ever such impatience! (Calls) Nimrod, come! 
He will be here no sooner for thine eyes. 
Tell me, how can she wed unless she loves ? 
(NiMROD turns moodily and walks beside her) 

Nimrod — She can be made to wed without consent. 

Her father and the priests desire it, 

She is alone. 

(J young shepherd lad comes out of the larger tent, 

bearing bowls of food) 
Yarethah. Thou hast not broken fast? 

NiMROD — Nor can I now! No. Bread and salt I take 

For courtesy. I thank thee, Yarethah. 
Yarethah — Thy thanks are of the lips not of the heart! 
Nimrod — My heart is held in torture till thy father comes. 

{Strides to the spear and measures. Then as before, 

looks out upon the plain) 

Shorter two fingers' breadths. But he is near the 
camp. 

Yarethah — {speaking with proud confidence) 

What help my father gives will prove sufficient, 
For he hath failed none in their hour of need. 
If thou but trust him, all shall yet be well. 
Remember, trust him! 

{Enter Enochael. He is of venerable age and patri- 
archal mien and with a manner of benign kindliness) 

Enochael. Peace on thee and thine! 

Nimrod — Jehovah's servant, greeting! 

Enochael — {embracing Yarethah, then turning) A good 
reply; 
Stranger, thy answer makes thee welcome here. 

Nimrod — 'Tis fifteen years since thou didst teach it me. 

Enochael — A goodly span of years. I know thee not. 



66 NIMROD Act II 

NiMROD — And yet Enochael was wont to say 

That Nimrod's face would linger in his mind 
In spite of passing years. 

Enochael. Nimrod! Most welcome, 

Great joy have I to see thee once again. 
And thou art now a conqueror, I hear, 
Victor of all the Cities of the Plain. 
Enter, and tell me of thy life and state. 

Nimrod — {staying his hospitable offer with a gesture) 
Not for a trifle did I send thee word 
Of urgent need and difficulty great. 
Almost before I tell thee what must be 
The spear will cast no shadow on the stele 
That marks the sun in midmost heaven. Should 

that be 
And thou canst give no help — thy pupil's happiness 
Dies with the setting sun. 

Enochael — {with gentle sarcasm) Thou needest help from 
me? 
The captain-general of Eridhu ^. 
Is not thine armor proof against all wounds .'' 

Nimrod — What armor can resist the hurtling blow 
That paralyzing sorrow renders forth? 
What toughened hide can turn the flight of darts 
Of undeserved misery? While love itself 
Too often is a venomed arrow barb. 
The merest kiss of which shall scorch the heart 
With searing fire, pleasant and yet pain. 

Enochael — Love, sorrow and despondency of heart! 

What aid can any give against these three? 

The only cure for love, Is — 

{Pauses and looks up zcith a smile) 

cease to love! 
Nimrod — Better to die of love than cease to love! 



Scene 2 N I M R O D 67 

Enochael — The first impulse of love is thoughtless bliss, 
When a mere presence answers every need, 
The touch of a hand is benediction rare, 
(NiMROD chafes and moves impatiently) 
A glance is wonderful, 
(NiMROD turns fretfully and zvalks to the spear) 

a smile divine. 
And life is bartered for a single kiss. 

NiMROD — The shadow wanes ! 

Enochael. Thou hast no sense of patience. 

(NiMROD returns, and the patriarch resumes) 
The second stage is madness, when it seems 
That fond desire leads to jealousy — 
The ardent lover cannot be content 
With love Itself but seeks to own that love 
And feels a fury rushing through his heart 
To think another also might be loved. 

NiMROD — {sta7iding beside the spear) A nail's breadth 
gone! 

Enochael. It is unwise to fret. 

(Resumes) But riper judgment leads to calmer 

thought 
And love assumes the third place in his heart. 
In this he learns the truest love is found 
Not in the presence of the one adored. 
Nor in possession of the maiden sought, 
But in the union of the soul with soul. 

Yarethah — You do torment him. Father! 

{Reproachfully and with a look of sympathy tozvard 

Nimrod) 

There Is need of haste! 
Enochael — There is no need for haste at any time, 

Jehovah works by ages, yet are all things done. 

{Turns to Nimrod) 



68 N I M R O D Act II 

Tell of thy love, since love seems all thy woe. 
I have known men who lost a maiden's love — 
And still survived. 

NiMROD. But this, Enochael, 

Holds matters of a sterner character. 
I have to Astupheli given troth. 
Daughter of Astrael, and she has pledged herself 
To wed none other; the king by solemn oath 
Before his priests promised to hear my suit 
When I returned a victor. 

Enochael. She has betrayed thee? 

NiMROD — Never! The very hour I marched forth 
They thrust her in a cell until the day 
She should be forced to marry Mitura, 
A weakling who shall feebly hold the crown 
Till Jarimel, the heir, be old enough to rule. 

Enochael — What of the king's oath? 

NiMROD. False, as is his heart! 

Now as I con that oath again, I see 
A double meaning in the specious words. 
{Half drazvs his szvord) 

If I could choke them down his throat again 
The birds should feast on his unburied body now! 
{He fights down his rage, zvhile Enochael ayid Yare- 
THAH look on in silence. In a fezv moments he speaks 
more quietly) 

Thou art as wise above the sons of men 
. As I am strong, and since my strength is vain 
Thy wisdom must educe a plan to stay 
This evil wedding. 

Enochael — {gravely) Her vow is not required ? 

NiMROD — It is, but though her lips were trebly sealed 
The priests would swear that she had given it. 



Scene 2 N I M R O D 69 

Enochael — How didst thou learn of this? 

NiMROD. A messenger. 

Enochael — Can he be trusted? 

NiMROD. Yes. He is my friend. 

Enochael — What dost thou plan to do? 

NiMROD — {desperately) I have no plan, 

Therefore I come to thee. If I could see a way, 
What need to seek thy wisdom? Thou art my hope! 

Enochael — Has wisdom wings of light to transport man 
At speed illimitable over the desert sands? 
It lacks but two spans on the dial of the spear, 
And Eridhu is two days' ride away. 

NiMROD — If I could reach the place, would I then ask thy 
aid? 
If human strength sufficed, all would be well. 

Enochael — I am but man like thee. How can I help 
thee then? 

NiMROD — Thou art the honored prophet of Jehovah! 
I am king, and conqueror of all the plain. 

Enochael — {with quiet scorn) That makes us so impor- 
tant — in God's sight! 

NiMROD — {flushing, hut indomitable in purpose) 

If through thy prayers Great Jehovah hears 

My bitter need and by divine omnipotence 

Prevents this mockery of sacrament, 

I will throw down all heathen temples in the plain, 

Root out idolatry, despoil the groves. 

Abolish human sacrifice, raise high 

Jehovah's worship till all men adore! 

Enochael — A bribe to God ? If He does thus and so, 
Thou wilt reward Him with more worshippers. 



70 N I M R D Act II 

Is this thy plea? 

(NiMROD zvalks to the spear, measures the shadow and 

returns) 

NiMROD — {passionately) With age thy blood stagnates 
Or thou would not delay upon each petty word! 

Enochael — • Wilt thou bribe God? 

NiMROD. There is no need of gods 

If our own powers answer all our quests. 
But when there comes that one inevitable hour 
When all our striving seems to be in vain, 
Then — if we find a God, we know Him to be 

God, 
And knowing, love; and loving, yield Him all. 

Enochael — Dost thou regard Jehovah's power at com- 
mand? 
Compelled to answer when His people cry? 

NiMROD — If, when His people cry. He answers not, 
Can He be God of Love? 

{Turns angrily from Enochael and stands moodily 
beside the spear) Even omnipotence 

Cannot reverse the wheels of time, and all thy help 
Win be but idle if the hour be past. 

Enochael — What thou desirest, that thou thinkest right; 
What is against thy will, to thee is wrong; 
Thou mayest think God mistaken, not thyself! 

NiMROD — Can I interpret gods? I know no right 
Except the right I know. Thou art not just 
To goad my anger by such long delay. 

Yarethah — That Is a true word! 

{Turns to her father) Be merciful to him! 

Enochael — What space of time remains? 

NiMROD, Scarce half a span! 



Scene 2 NIMROD 71 

Enochael — The half of that were ample if Jehovah wills. 
^Perhaps there is a way. 

NiMROD — {springing forward excitedly and hopefully) 

There is a way? 

Enochael — I have learned much about Chaldean lore, 
And if I do recall aright, the marriage vow 
Is consecrated by a flash of sun 
Striking across joined hands laid on the altar. 

NiMROD — That flash of sun doth constitute the rite. 

Without the shining of the beam no vow is made, 
But by reflected mirrors, the high-priest 
Can cast that ray of light to any point 
Within the temple walls. 

Enochael — (musingly) There is a way. 

What if the sun should falter and grow dim.? 

NiMROD — It would prevent the bridal. {Wonderingly) 

But even God 
Can not blot out the sun! 

Enochael. _ Thou art too quick to speak 

Of all the things Jehovah can not do. 
What space remains.? 

(NiMROD stoops and measures again the shadow on 
the dial) 

NiMROD. The half of half a span! 

(Enochael goes to the altar standing a little back from 
the smaller tent and throws a few grains of incense on 
the flame. A thin curl of smoke rises) 

Enochael — Mighty Jehovah, who by Thy power hast 
made 
The good ever to prosper, the ill to fail. 
Grant that our prayers find favor in thy sight. 
Forbid this evil marriage sacrament. 



72 N I M R O D Act II 

NiMROD — The shadow wanes! 

Enochael. Answer our prayers, Lord! 

( Throws more incense on the fiafne) 
Mighty Jehovah, who hath placed our souls 
In fleshly bodies set on earthliness. 
Thou knowest that the purest of our aims 
Are marred by love of self. In false, find what is true, 
Answer thy servant in his bitter need 
That he may worship Thee, the one true God! 

NiMROD — Only two fingers' breadth! 

Enochael. Oh, hear us. Lord! 

(A low faint moaning is heard. The shepherds come 
jrom the larger tent and gather in jrom the plain, 
creeping in softly one by one, as they see Enochael 
at the altar. Upon the far horizon a pale electric green 
shimmers fitfully and in the distance, one camel 
screams) 

Mighty Jehovah, who madest earth and sky, 
The radiant sun to bless the eager world. 
The rain to slake the parched and thirsty earth, 
The clouds in sombre glory to be known 
As messengers of thine, hide from all human sight 
The sun! 

Yarethah — {her shrillijig cry cleaving the heavy brooding 
silence) 

Nimrod! The sign! The sign! 
{The moaning grows louder and more menacing. The 
shepherds cower on the ground. The pale forerunner 
of the electric cloud rises slightly, showing 'the palpi- 
tating salmon-red borders of the " ox-eye " cyclonic cloud 
beneath. The sunshine pales, the leaves rustle fitfully 
with a dry harsh sound) 

Nimrod. The sign! 

{Strides to the altar beside Enochael) 



Scene 2 NIMROD 73 

The sun grows fainter 1 Haste, ye laggard clouds! 
Roll blackly over craven Astrael ! 
Enochael — Pray not for vengeance now! 
NiMROD — {zvith an imperious gesture at the sky) To Eridhu 1 
(Yarethah," trembling with fear, kneels near the 
altar at the jeet of her father, hiding her face in her 
hands. Enochael lays his ^ hand upon her head 
caressingly, bespeaking protection and peace) 
{Suddenly the strange green light _ breaks up and 
merges with the darker hues above it and, like great 
masses of pestilential vapors, waves of a dark and 
mottled olive hue hurl themselves across the sky) 
Enochael — Darker yet grow, ye instruments of God! 
With livid fire illume your horridness! 

{Flash of forked lightning splits across the cloud) 
In deep-toned wrath from throat invisible 
Pronounce God's anger on a world of sin! 

{Crashing peal of thunder is heard) 

And let Jehovah's tread in Heaven's^height 

Be judged by thy deep monotone of terror! 

{With a gradually swelling roar the storm bursts, the 

gale booming through the trees of the encampment. 

But above the tumult quivers a sharp keen shriek, 

the overtone of the tempest's fury) 

Shriek loud, ye winds! Ye elements unleashed. 

Sweep on your fearful way to sinful Eridhu! 

With forked flame of fury, crash, thou storm! 

Thou art God's mighty Seraphim of rage. 

Strike in thy strength until His will be spent. 

{The darkness increases) 

NiMROD — Doth great Jehovah sit on such a throne, 

With crash of falling worlds for words of doom? 
{Darkness, sudden and absolute, blots out the scene. 
The flame of the altar is blown down by the wind and 



74 N I M ROD Act II 

only a faint red glozv remains, suggesting rather than 
shozving the figure of Enochael beside the altar) 

Enochael — Brandish the sword of God, ye livid flames! 
{Lightning flash reveals Nimrod standing at the altar 
beside Enochael) 

NiMROD. God! 

Not one of many, but the only God! 
Thee! God of strength omnipotent! 
Thee! Ruler of the storm blast and the cloud! 
Thee! Monarch of the Voices of the Sky! 
Thee! Master of the Furies of the World! 
Thee! Power of the very heart of Power! 
Thee! Mightiest! Greatest! Best! I worship here! 
{The voice rings like a trumpet above the storm, though 
the scene is dark. By a lightning flash it is seen that 
Nimrod has left the side of Enochael and is stand- 
i7ig at the edge of the encarnpment) 
And now, through leagues of tempest-riven wilder- 
ness, 
With storm for fellow and with God for company, 
I ride to Astupheli! 

{Storm breaks out with redoubled violence. Then 
comes a long-continued zcavering jagged flash of light- 
ning, showing NiMROD on a plunging horse, turning 
toward the plain, and darkness falls again) 

{Curtain) 



End ACT II 



ACT III 



ACT III 

Scene — The sacrificial chamber of the vaults of the Star- 
Temple in Eridhu. The walls are frescoed in lurid 
designs showing tortures of every hideous description^ 
and on these walls hang ancient and cumbrous machin- 
ery of a sinister and forbidding aspect. The cell is damp, 
the floor and lower portions of the walls being covered 
with mould and a copper-colored slime. The floor is 
of slabs of stone imperfectly fitted together and from the 
cracks bleached and poisonous fungi grow. The back 
of the cell merges into utter obscurity save in the centre 
where there is a raised step, being the first of a series 
of steps leading dozvnward into the Cavern of Silence. 
A rude table stands on one side of the steps and on it 
are rusty chains and mouldy bronze-banded leather 
gags and fastenings. The ceiling is low and ponderous 
and thick ropes of plaited hide are suspended from huge 
rings in the roof. There are no windows, the gratings 
in the wall which admit the air opening into cavities 
as dark as the cell itself. 

To the right is an altar of black stone. A few inches 
from the top there projects a bar encircling the altar, 
from which hang tongs and pincers and instruments 
suitable for being made red-hot. The fire cavity in the 
altar is deep and in it burns a low fire, its reddish glare 
being the only light in the cell. 

To the left is a low white stone slab, hollowed out to 
the shape of a human body. Bloodstains both red and 
fresh and blackened a7id old are streaked across its 
surface and are seen running down its sides. 

The Time is Afternoon, two days later than the last 

77 



78 N I M R O D Act III 

scene, but this is not apparent in the cell, the only light 
in which is the altar fire, a flickering flame, which 
causes distorted shadows to move upon the wall. 

As the curtain rises, Astupheli is seen lying on the 
white stone sacrificial slab. She has been asleep. 
After a" moment or two she stirs, moves languidly and 
partly changes her position. 

Astupheli — {reflectively) What a dream of horror! 

{With an overwrought but relieved look) It is good to 

wake! 
I thought the priests bound me and dragged me 

down 
To that deep chamber below the Temple walls 
Where victims for the slaughter wait to die. 
A fearful dream! 

{Passes her hand across her forehead and then gently 
over her eyes as though to clear them) 

It seems I cannot wake! 
{Raises herself on her elbow and glances round only 
half comprehendingly) 
My eyes still seem to see the gloomy cell, 
The fire on the stone, the sacrificial table. 
{Her hand falls on the stone on which she lies and its 
chill contact, added to her increasing wakefulness, brings 
its bitter realization) 

Merciful gods! Was It then not a dream? 
{Springs from the slab with shuddering haste) 
This is the sacrificial cell ; 
{glances fearfully at the altar) the flames - 
Are not the figment of a sleep-beclouded brain 
But leap upon the hated altar. 

{Her eye catches sight of the sacrificial slab and she 
shrinks back in loathing) 

I was laid 
Where bloody sacrifices oft have lain. 



Act III NIMROD 79 

{Looks round with dread as though fearing to establish 
the truth) 

There are the torture instruments, the cage — 
{Totters hack as the ominous staircase meets her view) 
The steps which no returning foot hath trod. 
{Suddenly pauses, looks quickly at the floor and 

shrieks) . ^ , , 77 • • n 

{Silence ensues. Then, in a low and shuddering voice) 

What moves? . 

{Shrinks back toward the altar, gazing at the pavement 

fixedly) , _ , 

That blur upon the floor 1 
{With a cry of the conviction of fear) 

It moves! 
{Tries to control herself, with an assumed air of half- 
assurance) 

'Tis but a lizard. . •,• \ 

{Then, with a change of tone, false reassurance jailing) 

White! 
{The terror of the unknown begins to dawn in her eyes) 
How came a lizard white? 
{Clenches her hands convulsively, speaking with rapid 
breath) 

It stares at me, I cannot move! 
{A momentary catch of relief in her voice) 

There, 'tis gone! 
{Following with her eyes the movement of the half-seen 
shape) _ _ .11 

It creeps away, or is it growing dark 
So that I cannot see it any more? 
{The red glare from the fire begins to die down gradu- 

^^^^^ How dark! 

And such strange dark! The shadows on the walls 
Flicker as if alive. 
{Puts her hand for support on the rail of the altar) 



8o N I M R O D Act III 

Can shadows be alive? 
{Looks around vaguely) 
Shadows that whisper? 
{Points at the opposite wall) 

Shadows that have eyes! 
{Stands motionless, shivering a^id bent) 
Some presence chills my blood! 
{Listening) There again! 

What do the shadows whisper? Have they speech? 
{Silence. Then with a sudden wild cry) 
What comes this way? 
{Starting back) What comes? 

{Pace by pace she moves away from the altar, her 
whole frame quivering with terror and disgust. Back- 
ward she seems to be driven by some iiwisible shape 
until she is almost upon the murky stairway) 

.Not there! Not there! 
I will not go down there! 

{Crouching, and with a movement as though throwing 
off a bodily assailant, she runs across the stage. The 
fire of the altar dies down until Astupheli can be seen 
only as a dim white figure) 

Light! 

Light! 

More light! 
{Beats frantically upon the door of the cell, glancing 
fearfully over her shoulder) 
No one will answer me! 

{Attacks the door again, then seems to see the tangible 
presence of her terror growing nearer) 
It comes! 

Light ! Light ! 
(^Rushes across the stage to the altar, tearing off her linen 
head-dress as she does so and throwing it in the fire) 
I cannot bear this! Torture, if you will, 
{A bright flame shoots up as the fabric burns, illumin- 



Act III N I M R O D 8i 

ing the entire stage, bringing every detail of the cell 

into high relief) 

But give me light! 

(Sinks to the ground beside the altar in the abafidon- 

ment of utter relief) 'Tis gone! 

Yet I could swear 
I saw it, heard the beatings of its wings, 
The whispering menace of its shadow-speech. 
{The flame dies down quickly) 
So short a space of light! 

Fire, take all! 
{Throws off her outer mantle, leaving herself clad in a 
loose white robe. She tears the light mantle into pieces 
and throws it on the fire) 

But leave me not in darkness! A moment's grace. 
Give me just light to find the fatal knife! 
I will not die in darkness! 

{Sees a knife gleaming on the wall and steps forward to 
seize it. As she does so, the flame suddenly expires) 

What was that! 
{Shrieks, sobbing hysterically) 
The lizard! , • , 7 

{Brushes against bronze tools on the altar, which clank 
harshly) 

Help! 
{Throws her arms over her head in a despairing appeal) 
I stepped upon it! 

{Rushes across the stage) 

Help! 
{Falls to the floor as the door opens suddenly) 
{Enter Cal - Erech bearing a torch in one hand and a 
cup in the other) 

Cal - Erech — {with irony and venom commingled in his tones) 
So, Astupheli, thou art glad for once 
To see me come! 



82 N I M R D Act III 

AsTUPHELi — {nervous and shaken, hut answering bravely) 
Not to see thee, only thy torch! 
My brain had seemed to burst as thou didst enter. 
{Rises to her feet) 
Why am I brought here? 

Cal - Erech. Thus was it ordered. 

AsTUPHELi — {scornfully) Ordered by the priests ! 

Cal - Erech. _ Only a moment since, 

Groveling in terror, thou didst shriek for light, 
Now thou dost rail defiance at the priests 
To whom thou once wert most obedient. 

AsTUPHELi — I know them better now. 

What dost thou want of me? 

Cal - Erech — To drink this wine! 

AsTUPHELi — {understanding) A cup of poisoned wine! 

Cal - Erech — The sacrificial priests are on their way. 
Poison is better than a bloody death. 

AsTUPHELi — My death is sought? Nimrod is victor, 
then ? 

Cal - Erech — Nimrod is victor. Nought remains to us 
But to prevent his marriage. If thou diest 
He forms no royal dynasty, and at his death — 
Perhaps not long delayed — the priests return. 
{Holds out the cup) The wine! 

Astupheli. I will not drink! 

If Nimrod had been dead 

And thou hadst brought the wine — 
Cal - Erech — {zvith an air of candor) It was my thought 

To tell thee so, but sometimes truth is wiser. 

He cannot find thee, this hiding place Is known 

But to the king, to Mitura and me. 

The wine! 



Act III N I M R O D S^ 

{Holds out the cup, warding it from the danger of its 
being knocked out of his hand) 

AsTUPHELi — {defiantly) I will not drink! 

Cal - Erech — {with quiet malevolence) Thou dost prefer 
the dark! 
I will inform the sacrificial priests. 
They will enjoy a human sacrifice, 
And possibly find royal auguries — from thee! 
{Takes the torch from the cresset where it had been 
placed on his entrance) 

AsTUPHELi — Leave me the light, Cal-Erech. See! The 
fire is dead! 
I cannot bear the dark, leave me the torch! 

Cal - Erech — The wine! 

ASTUPHELI. No! No! 

Cal - Erech. 'Tis but a choice of deaths, 

And finding auguries is barbarous. 
Once more, the wine! 

AsTUPHELi. Never, while Nimrod lives! 

{Exit Cal - Erech, carrying with him the torch and 
the cup of wine) 

{As the door closes, absolute darkness falls upon the 
scene, not the slightest flicker of flame being observable 
on the altar) 

AsTUPHELi — {suddenly smitten with a full return of her 
former terror) 
The Shadow! 

Cal-Erech, come! 

Bring light! 
Wine! 

Poison! 

Anything for light! 



84 N I M R O D Act III 

{The door opens and Cal - Erech reappears standing 

on the threshold) 

Cal - Erech — {in exactly the same tone as before) The wine! 

AsTUPHELi — {pleadingly) I was thy pupil once — 

Cal - Erech — {immovable) The wine! 

{Steps are heard coming down the long passage to the 
cell-door at which Cal - Erech is standing. He 
turns quickly to see who is coming, then enters the cell 
hurriedly) 

Here come the priests! 
This is thy sole escape from hideous tortures! 
(Astupheli hesitates for a moment and is about to 
take the cup in her hands, but waits to make sure that 
the steps are those of her executioners) 
{Enter Astrael and Mitura) 

Astupheli — {with a cry of joy) It Is my father! {Sinks 
at his feet) 
Thou didst not bid me drink the poisoned cup? 
Say that it is not true! 

Astrael. I sent no poison! 

Cal - Erech — 'Tis wiser. She will not marry Mitura. 

Astrael — But why so quick to take this on thyself.'' 

Cal - Erech — Sooner or later, what matters it to us.'' 

{The two men stand close together, eyeing each other 
cautiously, Astrael with knitted brows trying to 
fathom the old priest's purpose, Cal - Erech smiling, 
but watchful) 

Astrael — {starting violently as the truth flashes across his 
mind) 
I see thy plan! Thou seekest the crown thyself! 
Therefore thou wert so quick to show that Mitura 
Could not be married on that day of storm; 



Act III N I M R O D 85 

Therefore didst thou come here to slay the girl 

Before she could be made to wed to-day, 

For Mitura can only rival thee 

When Astupheli gives him royal station. 

Cal - Erech — If so, what change is there? Here is no 
beam of sun, 
No marriage can be consecrated in this place 
Even if Astupheli granted it. 

AsTRAEL — She shall be married here and now. 

Astupheli — (zvith pleading and protest) Father! 

AsTRAEL — {ignoring the girl entirely) 

Let all the rite save that one phrase be said 
And I will swear that all has been fulfilled. 

Cal - Erech — It doth need a tongue to swear an oath, 

And tongue thou shalt have none, as head thou shalt 

have none. 
When Nimrod comes. In Eridhu's defense 
I have no part, my life has not been forfeited. 

AsTRAEL — The marriage first! 

Cal -Erech. The wine! 

Astupheli. I will not wed! 

Mitura — Have I no word in mine own bridal plans? 
Astupheli, love, why showest thou such fear, 
I would be kind! 

Astupheli — {confronting him angrily and scornfully) 

Now thou hast moved me! Fear, indeed! 
Thou would'st be kind! Of that I am in fear — 
Fear lest some word of thine strike discord on mine 

ear. 
Some touch of thine infect my very raiment 
Just as thy breath pollutes even the prison air! 
The poison first! 



86 N I M R O D Act III 

Cal - Erech. Said I not so? 

The wine! 
AsTRAEL — Why show such hate to Mitura? Of old 
Thou hadst no bitterness! 

AsTUPHELi. Does hate need reasons? 

Tell me the reason why a snake is loathed, 
Show the disgust from leprous-whitened flesh, 
Explain the horror of the dead's cold hand, 
And I will tell thee why I hate him so. 

Cal - Erech — There is no marriage with such hate! 

The wine! 

AsTRAEL — {losing his temper and grasping Astupheli 
Jorcihly) 
No words! Thou shah be wed and instantly! 
(MiTURA hangs hack a moment, hesitatingly because 
of his fear of Cal - Erech, a7id during the moment 
of delay, steps are heard coming rapidly toward the 
open door) 

Mitura — Someone comes! Quick! Bolt the door! 

(Mitura endeavors to turn quickly for the door, hut 
AsTRAEL, not realizing his purpose, and fearing his 
retreat, intercepts him, and before Cal - Erech has time 
to shoot the bolt, the door is pushed violently and Gil- 
VAR - Ur e?iters) 

Gilvar-Ur. Nimrod is here! 

{Seeing Astrael and Mitura, Gilvar - Ur is on the 
defensive, but he has not seen Cal - Erech, who was 
behind the door as he came in, and as the~ newcomer 
stands, awaiting the next move, with a deft movement 
Cal - Erech throws a chain around him, pinioning 
his sword-arm. He struggles and is about to free him- 
self, when Astrael and Mitura both come to Cal- 
Erech's assistance, and Gilvar - Ur is bound. The 
heavy bronze bolt of the door is shot across and fastened) 



Act III N I M R O D 87 

AsTRAEL — They can be wed before that door be forced. 

MiTURA — It is too late with Nimrod here. 

AsTRAEL. Too late.? 

MiTURA — I do not wish to die. Nimrod will spare my life. 

AsTRAEL — But not with honor! 

MiTURA. What honor hath a corpse .f" 

I do not think the dead concerned with honor. 
AsTRAEL — {with the ache of disillusionment in his voice) 

My world is crumbling round my feet, manhood 

Seems but a name, the gods — 

{Pauses, with a gesture of despair) 
Cal-Erech. The gods.? 

AsTRAEL — {bitterly, hut with dignity) 

False trust, false priests, false gods! I had believed 
the stars 

To be the eternal points divinely set 

To show where Destiny had pricked her chart. 

I did not dream the so-called Mighty Seven 

Were but the creatures of your brains. 
Cal - Erech. Are they not gods.? 

AsTRAEL — Have I not prayed to theni.? Done sacrifice.? 

Poured out my treasure for their temples.? 

Have I not toiled over their mystic lore.? 

Ordered my kingdom by their guiding omens.? 

Labored unceasingly.? Spent anxious nights 

In eager scrutiny of all the stars.? _ 

And what Is my reward.? They lie to me! 

They rob me of my throne! They send me shame! 
Cal - Erech — They lied to thee.? Did they not tell thee 
this .? 

Didst thou not read the fall of Eridhu ? 

Heed well. King Astrael, for if thou diest so, 



88 N I M R D Act III 

Scorning the gods, unending solitude 
Shall be thy portion in the Shadow-world ! 

AsTRAEL — Is there a Shadow-world? And are there gods? 
Or do we live so, that when at last we die. 
We find that Death is all that there is of Life ? 

Cal - Erech — {eagerly) Thou dost not wish to live? 

AsTRAEL — {gravely) Why should I live? 

All dynasties must end, and mine ends now. 
Better to end it as a priest and king 
Than be a spectacle upon the city walls. 

AsTUPHELi — Nimrod will spare thy life! 

AsTRAEL. I shall not ask it! 

{Embraces Astupheli gently) 

{Quietly and zvith entire self-possession, Astrael 

zualks to the steps that lead dozen into the Cavern of 

Silence. At the top he pauses) ' 

Cal - Erech — {with a shudder) Thou knowest? 

Astrael — {showing perfect composure) I know! 

This is the end. Farewell! 

Astupheli — {starts forzvard as though to run to him, but he 
puts tip his hand to zvarn her away) Father! 

Astrael — Farewell ! 

( Turns and with a firm stride descends the steps. In a 
moment he is out of sight. No one moves. There 
comes one long shuddering moan, and all is still) 
(Cal - Erech is the first to recover himself. He looks 
at Astupheli, who is crouched upon the floor near 
GiLVAR - Ur, sobbing bitterly, and at Mitura, who, 
as white as the dead, is holding to the sacrificial slab 
for support. The old priest reaches his hand out quietly 
for the cup of poisoned zvine and, sidling up to where 
Astupheli is zveeping, he suddenly grasps her roughly 
and tries to force the poison down her throat) 



Act III NIMROD 89 

Cal - Erech — The king is dead! Only the priests remain! 
(MiTURA, suddenly perceiving Cal - Erech's inten- 
tions, runs forward and grapples him. While they are 
struggling there is a sudden tumult outside and with a 
fearful crash a battering ram is brought with full force 
against the door and the huge bronze bolt falls shattered) 
( Through the breach plunge Nimrod, En - Tur, 
and soldiers. Nimrod, seeing the two men struggling 
on the floor, snatches Mitura and throws him half 
across the stage, then raises Astupheli tenderly, while 
at the same time En - Tur captures Cal - Erech. The 
soldiers loosen the bonds of Gilvar - Ur) 

Nimrod — Thou art not injured, Love! 

Astupheli — {clinging to him) Nimrod, take me away! 

This dark and horror seems to numb my brain! 
(En - Tur, still keeping a firm grip on Cal - Erech, 
holds out silently the empty cup, with a residue of 
whitish powder in the bottom of it. Nimrod turns to 
Cal - Erech) 

Nimrod — Poison? I will remember! Ask thy stars 
What fate awaits thee? I can prophesy — 
Death shapes thy welcome to his realm to-day! 
{Turns to Astupheli) 
Now I have conquered Astrael — 

Cal - Erech — {i?iterrupting) Too fast! 

Thou hast not conquered Astrael ! 

Nimrod — {suspiciously) What meanest thou ? 

Cal - Erech — Thou hast not conquered Astrael ! Behold I 
{Points to the top of the steps. Nimrod, leaving 
Astupheli for a moment, goes to the ominous pit. At 
the head of the grim staircase he shrinks and looks back 
at Cal - Erech with blanched cheeks) 
Thou hast not conquered Astrael, but death! 



90 



N I M R O D Act III 



(NiMROD returns to Astupheli, placing his arm about 
her, tenderly) 

NiMROD - — Death hath not conquered Astrael, 

{Pauses and points upward with his sword) 

but God! 

{Curtain) 



FINIS 



'FC 5 1912 



^^^°^£S»^^^ 




liiMi 



